Ten of 12 jurors hearing the B.C. legislature raid case say they are good to continue if the trial lasts another 10 months.
On Monday afternoon, Justice Anne MacKenzie said lawyers now expect it could take until at least March for the case against three former government employees to wrap up.
B.C. Supreme Court officials initially scheduled about six weeks for the case, over allegations that confidential government documents were leaked during the 2003 sale of Crown-owned BC Rail.
"So I know you are committed to mid-July. But now the surprise," Justice Anne MacKenzie said.
"Can you accommodate us until the end of March, with whatever miscellaneous days you need off to accommodate doctors appointments, dentists, serious family matters? That's the surprise, because that's the way the schedule is now."
Her request was met with several raised eyebrows by the jurors.
She told them they would also have part of July and most of August off, along with two weeks over Christmas.
"I know you have been extremely co-operative up until this point, and I know this is a lot to ask. But we would be and we are prepared to accommodate you," she said.
MacKenzie instructed the five women and seven men on the jury to think about whether they could commit to that length of time.
She added that there have been many trials in the B.C. Supreme Court building in Vancouver that have run that long before.
The trial began in mid-May, more than six years after the unprecedented search at the B.C. legislature, but has only sat about three days before the jury as lawyers discussed legal matters before the judge alone.
Former ministerial aides Dave Basi and Bobby Virk face charges of fraud and breach of trust, while Basi's cousin, Aneal Basi, is accused of money laundering.
Two jurors told the court they need to check on rescheduling prior commitments before committing. The court will be advised Tuesday.
With files from The Canadian Press
