(1)Where in the course of a trial—
(a)a juror dies; or
(b)the court is satisfied that it is for any reason inappropriate for any juror to continue to serve as a juror,
the court may in its discretion, on an application made by the prosecutor or an accused, direct that the trial shall proceed before the remaining jurors (if they are not less than twelve in number), and where such direction is given the remaining jurors shall be deemed in all respects to be a properly constituted jury for the purpose of the trial and shall have power to return a verdict accordingly whether unanimous or, subject to subsection (2) below, by majority.
(2)The remaining jurors shall not be entitled to return a verdict of guilty by majority unless at least eight of their number are in favour of such verdict and if, in any such case, the remaining jurors inform the court that—
(a)fewer than eight of their number are in favour of a verdict of guilty; and
(b)there is not a majority in favour of any other verdict,
they shall be deemed to have returned a verdict of not guilty.