Jury Service (Do NOT turn this into a 'how to get out of jury service' thread)

My jury service is stated for 10 working days.

How risky would it be to book a holiday abroad, a few days after it's due to finish? (3 days)

Surely if a case was going to be lengthy they would rule our jurors who have commitments?
 
Mine should be in the next few weeks but my excusal was excepted , they were reasons though and not excuses but they didn't rule out being called again at random in the future
 
VincentHanna said:
My jury service is stated for 10 working days.

How risky would it be to book a holiday abroad, a few days after it's due to finish? (3 days)

Surely if a case was going to be lengthy they would rule our jurors who have commitments?
Click to expand...

I think the letters that go out say 2 weeks for everyone. But it depends on the case. When I did mine last year, they said at the time it was more likely going to be 3 weeks and if that was a problem for anyone they should say. Someone said it was, gave their reason and they were dismissed for a new juror.

I don’t know how they’d take it booking a holiday after you’ve already had your summons. But I’d say, as long as you make them aware from the beginning you can’t go over the 2 weeks you will be fine. They’ll either put you on a case they know will be short or just dismiss you.
 
Had my callup for the middle of May waiting for me when I came home from hospital a couple of weeks ago. This would have been my second callup. Gave some valid reasons to be excused and have been excused.
 
VincentHanna said:
My jury service is stated for 10 working days.

How risky would it be to book a holiday abroad, a few days after it's due to finish? (3 days)

Surely if a case was going to be lengthy they would rule our jurors who have commitments?
Click to expand...
More often then not you should get away with it but I personally wouldn't risk it. It comes down to the type of case you might get and the type of judge. They might want to see evidence of booking and might go tough luck if you booked it after getting the letter. As a guess 7 out of 10 times you would be ok. Perhaps even 8 out of 10 times. I was on a case that was expected to be 2 weeks and got extended to 4 weeks so it does happen. Your best bet is to be honest and ring them.
 
Last edited:
TBH everyone i knew who were called for jury service were from middle class areas backgrounds etc. Cant see myself ever being called live on a council estate and foreign name.
P.S does the judge still pick the foreman?
 
I was summoned back in November for a December 16th 2024 start for two weeks service, terrible date so asked my boss when would be a better date and settled on the 10th March 2025. Put the request in and this was accepted. The first week I attended I got selected for two cases and finished Friday afternoon. Second week I got selected for two cases but only made final selection for one, finished on Thursday afternoon so had to return to work on the Friday.

The waiting time between cases is very long (can be multiple days), bring some books, a laptop, a portable gaming system and associated chargers, bringing a multiplug is also helpful to share sockets with your fellow Jurors.

Overall I found the experience eye opening and it was nice to be able to speak to other people from all different backgrounds about life in general. Massive respect to the Judges, Clerks, Ushers and the rest of the staff in the service. Got paid the loss of earnings/expenses a week later and got exactly the sum I expected. Work in my case topped up the loss of earnings amount and I don't work weekends anyway. I appreciate I didn't get a case that ran for weeks, however I'd do Jury Service again in a heartbeat.
 
Last edited:
A couple of questions for those who have done Jury Service

1) When you're sworn in and the trial starts how long can it last before a Judge calls a break, I expect multiple replies for this?

2) When the Judge sends you for a break are you allowed to discuss what you've heard or do you have to wait until it ends?
 
SexyGreyFox said:
A couple of questions for those who have done Jury Service

1) When you're sworn in and the trial starts how long can it last before a Judge calls a break, I expect multiple replies for this?

2) When the Judge sends you for a break are you allowed to discuss what you've heard or do you have to wait until it ends?
Click to expand...
I don't think we sat for more than 2-3 hours at the absolute most before a break.
You're only supposed to discuss the case in the privacy of the jury deliberation room. Not anywhere else in earshot of others.
 
Diagro said:
What if you need to pee?
Click to expand...

With my prostate issues this is a real concern for me. I actually mentioned this very possibility in a letter to my doctor. I'm on various medicines but when the urge comes it cannot be denied for very long. I think that I'll simply alert the court to the issue and hope they will treat it as any other disability.
 
Quartz said:
With my prostate issues this is a real concern for me. I actually mentioned this very possibility in a letter to my doctor. I'm on various medicines but when the urge comes it cannot be denied for very long. I think that I'll simply alert the court to the issue and hope they will treat it as any other disability.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a very valid reason for not doing jury duty tbh.
 
ANDREW GREEN said:
Surely they allow people in the jury to goto the toilet when they need to. But yes worth mentioning any medical conditions
Click to expand...
That's logic and reason. Unfortunately, courts dont follow logic or reasoning. So likely treat the Jury as children at school. And lock the toilets when court is in service.... hehe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom