Australian Capital Territory Current Acts

JURIES ACT 1967 - SECT 39

If a jury has retired to consider its verdict at a criminal trial, the judge may discharge the jury if the judge is satisfied—

        (a)     that a reasonable period (of at least 6 hours) for the jury to deliberate on the verdict has passed, taking into account the complexity and nature of the trial; and

        (b)     after examination on oath of 1 or more jurors, that the jury is not likely to reach—

              (i)     a unanimous verdict; or

              (ii)     if a majority verdict would be a sufficient verdict under section 38 (2)—a majority verdict.