In a letter to the Commission received on 19 March 2002, the Attorney General, the Hon R J Debus MP made the following reference:

To inquire into and to report on whether persons who are profoundly deaf or have a significant hearing or sight impairment should be able to serve as jurors in New South Wales and, if so, in what circumstances.

In undertaking this review, the Commission should have regard to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), and the need to maintain confidence in the administration of justice in New South Wales.