Wrongful disclosure of information relating to persons in youth detention accommodation

25 (1) A person who is or has been employed to perform contracted-out functions
at a directly managed secure college commits an offence if the person
discloses any information—

(a) 5which the person acquired in the course of the employment, and

(b) which relates to a particular person detained in youth detention
accommodation.

(2) It is not an offence under this paragraph for a person to disclose
information—

(a) 10in the course of the person’s duty, or

(b) when authorised to do so by the Secretary of State.

(3) A person who commits an offence under this paragraph is liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both), and

(b) 15on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51
weeks or a fine (or both).

(4) In relation to an offence committed before section 154(1) of the Criminal
Justice Act 2003 comes into force, the reference in sub-paragraph (3)(b) to 12
months is to be read as a reference to 6 months.

(5) 20In relation to an offence committed before section 85 of the Legal Aid,
Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 comes into force, the
reference in sub-paragraph (3)(b) to a fine is to be read as a reference to a fine
not exceeding the statutory maximum.

Supplementary

26 25The references in paragraphs 20, 21 and 22 to the carrying out of functions
or the performance of custodial duties at a secure college include references
to the carrying out of functions or the performance of such duties for the
purposes of, or for purposes connected with, a secure college.

Part 4 30Definitions

27 In this Schedule—

• “contracted-out functions” has the meaning given in paragraph 20;

• “contracted-out secure college” has the meaning given in paragraph 1;

• “the contractor”, in relation to a contracted-out secure college, has the
  35meaning given in paragraph 1;

• “directly managed secure college” means a secure college which is not
  a contracted-out secure college;

• “secure college custody officer” has the meaning given in paragraph 16;

• “secure college rules” means rules made under section 47 of the Prison
  40Act 1952 for the regulation and management of secure colleges;

• “sub-contractor”, in relation to a contracted-out secure college, has the
  meaning given in paragraph 1.

Part 5 Further amendments

Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)1968 (c. 27)

28 (1) Schedule 1 to the Firearms Act 1968 (offences to which section 17(2) of that
5Act applies) is amended as follows.

(2) After paragraph 6 insert—

“6A An offence under paragraph 14 or 24 of Schedule 4 to the Criminal
Justice and Courts Act 2014 (assaulting secure college custody
officer).”

(3) 10In paragraph 8 for “6” substitute “6A”.

Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)1988 (c. 33)

29 In section 40(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (powers to join in indictment
count for certain offences), after paragraph (ab) insert—

“(ac) an offence under paragraph 14 or 24 of Schedule 4 to the
15Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2014 (assaulting secure
college custody officer);”.

Private Security Industry Act 2001 (c. 12)2001 (c. 12)

30 In paragraph 2(7) of Schedule 2 to the Private Security Industry Act 2001
(manned guarding activities not liable to control), after paragraph (c)
20insert—

“(cza) activities that are carried out for the purposes of the
performance of a contract entered into under, or for the
purposes of, paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to the Criminal
Justice and Courts Act 2014 (contracting out of secure
25colleges) or paragraph 20 of that Schedule (contracted-out
functions at directly managed secure colleges);”.

Children Act 2004 (c. 31)Children Act 2004 (c. 31)

31 The Children Act 2004 is amended as follows.

32 In section 15(3)(d) (funding of Local Safeguarding Children Boards), after
30“or prison” insert “or the principal of a contracted-out secure college”.

33 (1) Section 65 (interpretation) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (3), at the end insert—

“(d) references to a contracted-out secure college, and to the
contractor in relation to such a secure college, have the
35meanings given by paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to the Criminal
Justice and Courts Act 2014.”

(3) In subsection (4)—

(a) in paragraph (a), omit “or”,

(b) at the end of paragraph (b), insert “or”,

(c) after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c) a contract under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to the
Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2014 is for the time
being in force in relation to part of a secure college”,
5and”

(d) for “or prison” substitute “, prison or secure college”.

Offender Management Act 2007 (c. 21)2007 (c. 21)

34 In section 14(9) of the Offender Management Act 2007 (disclosure)—

(a) in paragraph (a), after sub-paragraph (ii) insert—

“(iii) 10a secure college under paragraph 1 of
Schedule 4 to the Criminal Justice and Courts
Act 2014;”;

(b) in paragraph (a), for “section in question” substitute “provision in
question”;

(c) 15in paragraph (b)(ii), omit the words from “for offenders” to the end.

Section 28

SCHEDULE 5 Trial by single justice on the papers: further amendments

Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45)Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45)

1 (1) Section 39(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (service of summons etc in
20Scotland or Northern Ireland) is amended as follows.

(2) After paragraph (c) (but before “and”) insert—

“(ca) a single justice procedure notice (within the meaning of that
section) requiring a person charged with an offence to serve
a written notification stating—

(i) 25whether or not the person desires to plead guilty, and

(ii) if the person desires to plead guilty, whether or not
the person desires to be tried in accordance with
section 16A of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980,”.

(3) In paragraph (d), for “or (c)” substitute “, (c) or (ca)”.

30Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)

2 The Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 is amended as follows.

3 (1) Section 1 (issue of summons to accused etc) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (4A), for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant prosecutor
authorised to issue requisitions”.

(3) 35Omit subsection (4B).

(4) In subsection (6A), for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant prosecutor”.

4 In section 150(1) (interpretation of other terms)—

(a) omit the entry for “public prosecutor”, “requisition” and “written
charge”, and

(b) at the appropriate places insert—

• ““relevant prosecutor” has the meaning given by section
  29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;”,

• ““requisition” has the meaning given by section 29 of the
  5Criminal Justice Act 2003;”,

• ““single justice procedure notice” has the meaning given
  by section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;”, and

• ““written charge” has the meaning given by section 29 of
  the Criminal Justice Act 2003;”.

10Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)

5 (1) Section 15 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (interpretation of Part 1)
is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a) for ““public prosecutor”” substitute ““relevant prosecutor””, and

(b) 15after ““requisition”” insert “, “single justice procedure notice”.

(3) In subsection (2)—

(a) in paragraph (ba), for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant
prosecutor”, and

(b) after paragraph (ba) insert—

“(bb) 20where a relevant prosecutor issues a written charge
and single justice procedure notice, when the written
charge and single justice procedure notice are
issued;”.

Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53)Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53)

6 25In section 8 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (duty to include date of
birth and sex in written plea of guilty), after paragraph (a) (but before “or”)
insert—

“(aa) serves a written notification on the designated officer for a
magistrates’ court stating a desire to plead guilty and to be
30tried in accordance with section 16A of the Magistrates’
Courts Act 1980 (trial by single justice on the papers),”.

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33)Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33)

7 (1) Section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (intimidation
etc of witnesses, jurors and others) is amended as follows.

(2) 35In subsection (9)—

(a) for ““public prosecutor”” substitute ““relevant prosecutor””, and

(b) after ““requisition”” insert “, “single justice procedure notice””.

(3) In subsection (10)(a)(ia)—

(a) for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant prosecutor”, and

(b) 40after “and requisition” insert “or single justice procedure notice”.

Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (c. 37)Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (c. 37)

8 (1) Section 60 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (Revenue and Customs
prosecutions) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (6), for ““public prosecutor”” substitute ““relevant
5prosecutor””.

(3) In subsection (6A)(aa), for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant
prosecutor”.

Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21)Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21)

9 (1) Section 145 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (interpretation of section 144)
10is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2)(a)(ia), for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant
prosecutor”.

(3) In subsection (2A), for ““public prosecutor”” substitute ““relevant
prosecutor””.

15Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)

10 (1) In Schedule 4 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (forfeiture orders), paragraph 11 is
amended as follows.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1)(aa), for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant
prosecutor”.

(3) 20In sub-paragraph (2A), for ““public prosecutor”” substitute ““relevant
prosecutor””.

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)

11 (1) Section 85 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (proceedings) is amended as
follows.

(2) 25In subsection (1)(aa)—

(a) for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant prosecutor”, and

(b) after “and requisition” insert “or single justice procedure notice”.

(3) In subsection (9)—

(a) for ““public prosecutor”” substitute ““relevant prosecutor””, and

(b) 30after ““requisition”” insert “, “single justice procedure notice””.

Education Act 2002 (c. 32)Education Act 2002 (c. 32)

12 (1) Section 141F of the Education Act 2002 (restrictions on reporting alleged
offences by teachers) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (15)(b)—

(a) 35for “public prosecutor” substitute “relevant prosecutor”, and

(b) after “and requisition” insert “or single justice procedure notice”.

(3) After subsection (15) insert—

“(16) In subsection (15) “relevant prosecutor”, “requisition”, “single justice
procedure notice” and “written charge” have the same meaning as in
section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.”

5Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32)Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32)

13 The Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 is amended as follows.

14 (1) Section 4A (general requirements for service of written charge or
requisition) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for “or requisition” substitute “etc”.

(3) 10In subsection (1), after paragraph (b) insert “and

(c) a single justice procedure notice (within the meaning of that
section).”

(4) In subsection (2), for “The written charge or requisition” substitute “Each of
the documents”.

(5) 15In subsection (3) for “the written charge or requisition”, in both places,
substitute “the document”.

(6) In subsection (4), for “A written charge or requisition” substitute “Such a
document”.

(7) In subsection (5)—

(a) 20after “a requisition” insert “or single justice procedure notice”, and

(b) after “the requisition” insert “or single justice procedure notice”.

15 (1) Section 4B (service of written charge or requisition otherwise than by post)
is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for “or requisition” substitute “etc”.

(3) 25In subsection (1), for “or requisition” substitute “, requisition or single justice
procedure notice”.

(4) In subsection (2), for “the written charge or requisition” substitute “the
document”.

(5) In subsection (3)(b), for “the written charge or requisition” substitute “the
30document”.

Section 29

SCHEDULE 6 Further provision about criminal courts charge

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53)Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53)

1 In section 1(3) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (rehabilitated
35persons and spent convictions: definition of sentence), at the end insert—

“(c) an order under section 21A of the Prosecution of Offences Act
1985 (criminal courts charge).”

Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)

2 The Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 is amended as follows.

3 In section 82 (restriction on power to impose imprisonment for default), for
subsection (1A) substitute—

“(1A) 5A magistrates’ court may not issue a warrant of commitment in
reliance on subsection (1)(c) for a default in paying—

(a) a charge ordered to be paid under section 21A of the
Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts charge), or

(b) a surcharge ordered to be paid under section 161A of the
10Criminal Justice Act 2003.”

4 In section 108 (right of appeal to the Crown Court), after subsection (4)
insert—

“(5) Subsection (3) does not prevent an appeal against an order under
section 21A of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts
15charge).”

Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)

5 In the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, at the beginning of the heading of
Part 2 insert “Defence, prosecution and third party”.

Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45)Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45)

6 20In section 281(4A) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (effect of discharge from
bankruptcy debts)—

(a) after “fine” insert “imposed for an offence”, and

(b) after “a reference to” insert “—

(a) a charge ordered to be paid under section 21A of the
25Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts
charge), whether on conviction or otherwise;

(b)”.

Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)

7 In section 24(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (recovery of fines etc from
30certain benefits), in the definition of “fine”, after paragraph (b) insert—

• “(ba)

  a charge ordered to be paid under section 21A of the
  Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts
  charge);”.

Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)

8 35The Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 is amended as follows.

9 (1) Section 12 (absolute and conditional discharge) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (7)—

(a) omit “from making an order for costs against the offender or”, and

(b) for “him” substitute “the offender”.

(3) At the end insert—

“(8) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a court, on
discharging an offender absolutely or conditionally in respect of an
offence, from—

(a) 5making an order under section 21A of the Prosecution of
Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts charge), or

(b) making an order for costs against the offender.”

10 In section 142(1) (power of Crown Court to order search of persons before
it), after paragraph (b) insert—

“(ba) 10the Crown Court makes an order against a person under
section 21A of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal
courts charge),”.

Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)

11 The Criminal Justice Act 2003 is amended as follows.

12 15In section 151(5) (community order or youth rehabilitation order for
persistent offender previously fined), before “a compensation order” insert
“an order under section 21A of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985
(criminal courts charge), or”.

13 In section 256AC(11) (breach of supervision requirements imposed under
20section 256AA: appeal)—

(a) after “against” insert “—

(a)”, and

(b) at the end insert “under this section, and

(b) an order made by the court under section 21A of the
25Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts
charge) when dealing with the person under this
section.”

14 In Schedule 8 (breach or amendment of community order), in paragraph 9(8)
(appeals)—

(a) 30after “against” insert “—

(a)”, and

(b) at the end insert “, and

(b) an order made by the court under section 21A of the
Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal courts
35charge) when imposing that sentence.”

15 In Schedule 12 (breach or amendment of suspended sentence order), in
paragraph 9(3) (appeals)—

(a) for “any order made by the court under paragraph 8(2)(a) or (b)”
substitute “each of the following orders”, and

(b) 40at the end insert “—

(a) an order made by the court under paragraph
8(2)(a) or (b);

(b) an order made by the court under section 21A of
the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (criminal
45courts charge) when making an order described in
paragraph (a).”

Section 46

SCHEDULE 7 Juries at inquests

Jurors and electronic communications devices

1 After section 9 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 insert—

“9A 5Surrender of electronic communications devices by jurors

(1) A senior coroner holding an inquest with a jury may order the
members of the jury to surrender any electronic communications
devices for a period.

(2) An order may be made only if the senior coroner considers that—

(a) 10the order is necessary or expedient in the interests of justice,
and

(b) the terms of the order are a proportionate means of
safeguarding those interests.

(3) An order may only specify periods during which the members of the
15jury are—

(a) in the building in which the inquest is being heard,

(b) in other accommodation provided at the senior coroner’s
request,

(c) visiting a place in accordance with arrangements made for
20the purposes of the inquest, or

(d) travelling to or from a place mentioned in paragraph (b) or
(c).

(4) An order may be made subject to exceptions.

(5) It is a contempt of court for a member of a jury to fail to surrender an
25electronic communications device in accordance with an order under
this section.

(6) Proceedings for a contempt of court under this section may only be
instituted on the motion of a senior coroner having jurisdiction to
deal with it.

(7) 30In this section, “electronic communications device” means a device
that is designed or adapted for a use which consists of or includes the
sending or receiving of signals that are transmitted by means of an
electronic communications network (as defined in section 32 of the
Communications Act 2003).

9B 35Surrender of electronic communications devices: powers of search etc

(1) This section applies where an order has been made under section 9A
in respect of the members of a jury.

(2) A coroners’ officer must, if ordered to do so by a senior coroner,
search a member of the jury in order to determine whether the juror
40has failed to surrender an electronic communications device in
accordance with the order.

(3) Subsection (2) does not authorise the officer to require a person to
remove clothing other than a coat, jacket, headgear, gloves or
footwear.

(4) If the search reveals a device which is required by the order to be
5surrendered—

(a) the officer must ask the juror to surrender the device, and

(b) if the juror refuses to do so, the officer may seize it.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), a coroners’ officer may retain an article
which was surrendered or seized under subsection (4) until the end
10of the period specified in the order.

(6) If a coroners’ officer reasonably believes that the device may be
evidence of, or in relation to, an offence, the officer may retain it until
the later of—

(a) the end of the period specified in the order, and

(b) 15the end of such period as will enable the officer to draw it to
the attention of a constable.

(7) A coroners’ officer may not retain a device under subsection (6)(b)
for a period of more than 24 hours from the time when it was
surrendered or seized.

(8) 20The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make provision as to—

(a) the provision of written information about coroners’ officers’
powers of retention to persons by whom devices have been
surrendered, or from whom devices have been seized, under
this section,

(b) 25the keeping of records about devices which have been
surrendered or seized under this section,

(c) the period for which unclaimed devices have to be kept, and

(d) the disposal of unclaimed devices at the end of that period.

(9) In this section—

• 30“electronic communications device” has the same meaning as in
  section 9A;

• “unclaimed device” means a device retained under this section
  which has not been returned and whose return has not been
  requested by a person entitled to it.”

2 (1) 35Part 4 of the Courts Act 2003 (court security officers) is amended as follows.

(2) In section 54A (powers in relation to jurors’ electronic communications
devices) (inserted by section 41)—

(a) in subsection (1), after “1974” insert “or section 9A of the Coroners
and Justice Act 2009”,

(b) 40in subsection (2), after “judge” insert “or a senior coroner”, and

(c) for subsection (5) substitute—

“(5) In this section—

• “electronic communications device” means a device that
  is designed or adapted for a use which consists of or
  45includes the sending or receiving of signals that are
  transmitted by means of an electronic

  Criminal Justice and Courts BillPage 90

  communications network (as defined in section 32 of
  the Communications Act 2003);

• “senior coroner” has the same meaning as in the
  Coroners and Justice Act 2009.”

(3) 5In section 55(1A) (powers to retain articles surrendered or seized) (inserted
by section 41), after “1974” insert “or section 9A of the Coroners and Justice
Act 2009”.

Offences relating to research by jurors etc

3 Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (offences relating
10to jurors at inquests) is amended as follows.

4 Before paragraph 1 insert—

“Serving while disqualified, failure to attend etc”.

5 After paragraph 5 insert—

“Research by jurors

5A (1) 15It is an offence for a member of a jury at an inquest to research the
case during the inquest period, subject to the exceptions in sub-
paragraphs (6) and (7).

(2) A person researches a case if (and only if) the person—

(a) intentionally seeks information, and

(b) 20when doing so, knows or or ought reasonably to know that
the information is or may be relevant to the inquest.

(3) The ways in which a person may seek information include—

(a) asking a question,

(b) searching an electronic database, including by means of
25the internet,

(c) visiting or inspecting a place or object,

(d) conducting an experiment, and

(e) asking another person to seek the information.

(4) Information relevant to the inquest includes information about—

(a) 30a person involved in events relevant to the inquest,

(b) the senior coroner dealing with the inquest,

(c) any other person who is involved in the inquest, whether
as a lawyer, a witness or otherwise,

(d) the law relating to the case,

(e) 35the law of evidence, and

(f) procedure at inquests.

(5) “The inquest period”, in relation to a member of a jury at an
inquest, is the period—

(a) beginning when the person is sworn to inquire into the
40case, and

(b) ending when the senior coroner discharges the jury or, if
earlier, when the senior coroner discharges the person.

(6) It is not an offence under this paragraph for a person to seek
information if the person needs the information for a reason which
is not connected with the case.

(7) It is not an offence under this paragraph for a person—

(a) 5to attend proceedings at the inquest;

(b) to seek information from the senior coroner dealing with
the case;

(c) to do anything which the senior coroner dealing with the
case directs or authorises the person to do;

(d) 10to seek information from another member of the jury,
unless the person knows or ought reasonably to know that
the other member of the jury contravened this paragraph
in the process of obtaining the information;

(e) to do anything else which is reasonably necessary in order
15for the jury to make a determination or finding in the case.

(8) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable, on
conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).

(9) Proceedings for an offence under this paragraph may only be
20instituted by or with the consent of the Attorney General.”

Sharing research with other jurors

5B (1) It is an offence for a member of a jury at an inquest intentionally to
disclose information to another member of the jury during the
inquest period if—

(a) 25the member contravened paragraph 5A in the process of
obtaining the information, and

(b) the information has not been provided at the inquest.

(2) Information has been provided at the inquest if (and only if) it has
been provided as part of—

(a) 30evidence presented at the inquest, or

(b) other information provided to the jury or a juror during the
inquest period by, or with the permission of, the senior
coroner dealing with the case.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable, on
35conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).

(4) Proceedings for an offence under this paragraph may not be
instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney General.

(5) In this paragraph, “the inquest period” has the same meaning as in
40paragraph 5A.

Jurors engaging in other prohibited conduct

5C (1) It is an offence for a member of a jury at an inquest intentionally to
engage in prohibited conduct during the inquest period, subject to
the exceptions in sub-paragraphs (4) and (5).

(2) “Prohibited conduct” means conduct from which it may
reasonably be concluded that the person intends to make a
determination or finding otherwise than on the basis of the
evidence presented at the inquest.

(3) 5An offence under this paragraph is committed whether or not the
person knows that the conduct is prohibited conduct.

(4) It is not an offence under this paragraph for a member of the jury
to research the case (as defined in paragraph 5A(2) to (4)).

(5) It is not an offence under this paragraph for a member of the jury
10to disclose information to another member of the jury.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable, on
conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).

(7) Proceedings for an offence under this paragraph may not be
15instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney General.

(8) In this paragraph, “the inquest period” has the same meaning as in
paragraph 5A.”

Offence relating to jury’s deliberations

6 In Schedule 6 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (offences relating to
20inquests), after Part 1 insert—

“ Part 1A Offence relating to jury’s deliberations

5D Offence

(1) It is an offence for a person intentionally—

(a) 25to disclose information about statements made, opinions
expressed, arguments advanced or votes cast by members
of a jury in the course of their deliberations in proceedings
at an inquest, or

(b) to solicit or obtain such information,

30subject to the exceptions in paragraphs 5E and 5F.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable, on
conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).

(3) Proceedings for an offence under this paragraph may not be
35instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney General.

5E Initial exceptions

(1) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D for a person to disclose
information in the inquest mentioned in paragraph 5D(1) for the
purposes of enabling the jury to make findings or a determination
40or in connection with the delivery of findings or a determination.

(2) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D for the senior coroner
dealing with that inquest to disclose information—

(a) for the purposes of dealing with the inquest, or

(b) for the purposes of an investigation by a relevant
5investigator into whether an offence or contempt of court
has been committed by or in relation to a juror in the
inquest.

(3) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D for a person who
reasonably believes that a disclosure described in sub-paragraph
10(2)(b) has been made to disclose information for the purposes of
the investigation.

(4) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D to publish information
disclosed as described in sub-paragraph (1) or (2)(a) in the inquest
mentioned in paragraph 5D(1).

(5) 15It is not an offence under paragraph 5D to solicit a disclosure
described in sub-paragraphs (1) to (4).

(6) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D to obtain information—

(a) by means of a disclosure described in sub-paragraphs (1)
to (4), or

(b) 20from a document that is available to the public or a section
of the public.

(7) In this paragraph—

• “publish” means make available to the public or a section of
  the public;

• 25“relevant investigator” means—

  (a)

  a police force;

  (b)

  the Attorney General;

  (c)

  any other person or class of person specified by the
  Lord Chancellor for the purposes of this paragraph by
  30regulations.

(8) The Lord Chancellor must obtain the consent of the Lord Chief
Justice before making regulations under this paragraph.

5F Further exceptions

(1) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D for the Attorney General
35or a judge of the High Court to disclose information for the
purposes of an investigation by a relevant investigator into—

(a) whether an offence or contempt of court has been
committed by or in relation to a juror in connection with
the inquest mentioned in paragraph 5D(1), or

(b) 40whether conduct of a juror in connection with that inquest
may provide grounds for an application under section
13(1)(b) of the Coroners Act 1988.

(2) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D for a person to disclose
information for the purposes mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) to—

(a) 45the Attorney General,

(b) a judge of the High Court,

(c) the senior coroner who dealt with the inquest mentioned
in paragraph 5D(1), or

(d) a coroners’ officer or a member of staff assisting a senior
coroner who would reasonably be expected to disclose the
5information only to a person mentioned in paragraphs (a)
to (c).

(3) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D for a person who
reasonably believes that a disclosure described in sub-paragraph
(1) has been made to disclose information for the purposes of the
10investigation.

(4) It is not an offence under paragraph 5D for a person to disclose
information in evidence in—

(a) proceedings for an offence or contempt of court alleged to
have been committed by or in relation to a juror in
15connection with the inquest mentioned in paragraph
5D(1),

(b) proceedings on an application to the High Court under
section 13(1)(b) of the Coroners Act 1988 in connection
with the inquest mentioned in paragraph 5D(1) where an
20allegation relating to conduct of or in relation to a juror
forms part of the grounds for the application, or

(c) proceedings on any further appeal, reference or
investigation arising out of proceedings mentioned in
paragraph (a) or (b).

(5) 25It is not an offence under paragraph 5D to publish information
disclosed as described in sub-paragraph (4).