The proposals, put out for consultation by the Northern Ireland Office, would make juries much more representative of society and, ministers suggest, improve confidence in the justice system as a whole.

If followed through completely it could result in police officers, public prosecutors, judges and politicians all sitting on juries.

Teachers, doctors, nurses, and dentists would also be among those who lose an automatic right to be excused from service.

David Hanson, minister responsible for the Northern Ireland Court Service, said: “Everyone has something unique to bring to a jury — his or her own experiences and knowledge.

“Expanding the pool of potential jurors will ensure that juries are not deprived of the broad range of skills and experience to be found in the community.”

When a jury reached a verdict, it was not only making a decision that affected the individual defendant, it was also making a decision which affected society at large, he said.

“It is for this reason that the government regards jury service as one of the most important civic duties that anyone can be asked to perform. Few decisions made by members of the public have such an impact as a jury's verdict,” said Mr Hanson.

The minister said he welcomed the proposals and urged everyone with an interest to contribute to the consultation.

Under current legislation those exempt from jury service include members of the judiciary, members of the legal profession, public prosecutors, prison officers, probation officers, police officers, court staff, members of the forces, as well as those suffering from a mental disorder and people unable to understand English.

It is proposed that they — with the exception of those with mental disorders and those who can't understand English — should become eligible to sit.

However, the government is asking specific consultation questions about whether public prosecutors, PSNI officers and staff and members of the judiciary should be eligible to sit on juries.

Many people are eligible to be excused as of right from jury service, but the government is proposing the right be taken away.

It would affect professionals such as teachers, doctors, dentists, nurses, vets and pharmacists, as well as MPs MLAs Peers, MEPs, and the clergy, officers and servants of the Northern Ireland Assembly.