The court opened to the public for the first time after the eight men and eight women were whittled down from a potential pool of nearly 500 people at an empanelment in Albert Hall.

The jurors were driven in by bus to the ACT Supreme Court, where they will sit through some six months of evidence before retiring to consider their verdict.

Mr Eastman, who is in his seventies, is facing trial accused of the murder of Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester.

Mr Winchester was shot dead while sitting in his car in his neighbour's Deakin driveway about 9.15pm on January 10, 1989.

Mr Eastman has pleaded not guilty to the murder.

On Tuesday, the ACT Supreme Court's Acting Justice Murray Kellam told jurors the case had a long history and it was Mr Eastman's second trial for the alleged murder.

He said Mr Eastman was convicted in the first trial, but the verdict was set aside after a lengthy inquiry.

He said the inquiry found there was some evidence that should not have been allowed in, and that Mr Eastman did not receive a fair trial.

The judge told the jury prosecutors would not be leading that evidence again.

He reminded the jurors they had sworn to bring a true verdict according to the evidence.

"The evidence is the evidence that will be put before you the jury, and nothing else," he said.

The jurors' promises mean that while the 16 men and women can return to their homes and families each night, they will have to observe some rules.

They include not discussing the case with anyone outside the jury room, and only discussing the case with other jurors when they are all together in the room.

The jurors are forbidden from doing their own investigations of the case outside the court.

And they must not talk to lawyers or anyone else around the courts precinct.

Justice Kellam told the jurors they should keep away from the internet and should not communicate about the case over the phone, by message, or social media such as Facebook.

The judge also warned the jurors to ignore any media coverage of the case.

"You should pay no regard whatsoever to these reports," he said.

He reminded the jurors it was an offence to reveal information about deliberations or how the jury formed conclusions in the case.

Justice Kellam said a breach of the rules could cause an injustice, or the trial to miscarry.

It would be unfair to the community as well as the prosecution and defence, he said.

And such an outcome would be a tragedy for all involved, Justice Kellam said.

The judge told the jury that Mr Eastman's trial would not start for another two weeks, in part to allow the 16 jurors to organise their affairs.

He was grateful they were able to play such an important role in the justice system.

The trial will hear evidence four days a week, from Monday to Thursday.

It is expected to hear the barristers' opening submissions on June 18.