Last revised in 1989, shortly after the implementation of section 118 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 which abolished the right of peremptory challenge, the updates reflect changes to the law relating to disclosure since 1989; and also changes to the structure and organisation of the police and Security Services.

Announcing the new guidelines, Grieve reiterated that this was “a right which should be used only sparingly and in exceptional circumstances”.

Omitted from the new guidelines as out of date with modern court practice is the Association of Chief Police Officers annex, which provided guidance to police officers on the conduct of antecedent checks on potential jurors. The guidelines came into force on 27 November 2012 and are available on www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk.