Published Monday, 21 November 2011
UTV NEWS POLL
Should there be an upper age-limit for jurors?
Such an upper limit on those eligible for jury service has been in place in Northern Ireland for over 30 years, but has recently been scrapped in both the Republic of Ireland and in Scotland.
"With people living increasingly longer and healthier lives, I think the time is right to consider if we ought to change the age limit or, indeed, to abolish it altogether," David Ford said.
"I am not making any particular proposals at this stage, but I am very keen to hear the public's views."
People living for longer means a larger proportion of the public is being excluded from jury service because of their age than was the case in 1975, when the current age limit was established.
The issue has now gone out for a 12-week public consultation, starting on Monday and closing on February 10 2012.
The paper asks for views on three main questions - namely, if there should be an upper age limit for jurors; if so, what it should be; and if there should be an age-related right to excusal?
You can take part in the actual consultation through the Department of Justice website, or simply share your views by voting in our poll.