Been selected for Jury Service

**Damien** · 30-12-2009, 19:22

Gah! Got a letter informing me that I have been selected for Jury Service?

Does anyone know what I can expect?

The company I work for is also quite small, is it really fair that I have to do this? Would the fact I need to take a responsible amount of time of work enough reason to defer?

Paul · 30-12-2009, 19:28

The letter means you have been listed for service, I got one years back and then a week before the date I got another one telling me that due to them selecting more people than they need each time I was no longer required.

squealy · 30-12-2009, 19:29

Yes it's fair. You're a citizen of the United Kingdom with all the rights that entails. With those rights go responsibilities to society, one of which is that you may have to serve on a jury. I'm sure you realise all this already.

I realise it can be difficult if you work for a small company but if it's to be fair it has to be the same for everyone, whatever size organisation they work for.

Sirius · 30-12-2009, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Gah! Got a letter informing me that I have been selected for Jury Service?

Does anyone know what I can expect?

The company I work for is also quite small, is it really fair that I have to do this? Would the fact I need to take a responsible amount of time of work enough reason to defer?

I tried to get out of it the first time and they said read the notes and if you fit in any of the agreed reasons why you should not attend then apply to be released from the commitment, For the life of me i can not remember what the allowed reasons are.

However i have done jury service twice now and i find it interesting to say the least.

**Kymmy** · 30-12-2009, 19:34

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/c...dance_0709.pdf

Page 5 paragraph 11

**Maggy J** · 30-12-2009, 20:14

Hmm!

I've never ever been asked to do jury service..my husband has done it twice.In fact every member of my family(apart from my children) has done it at one time if not more..

I must smell...

Wayfair · 30-12-2009, 20:17

Neither have I Maggy, but I did help them out with a few lines of inquiry when I was much much younger, so I must of done my bit ehh

30-12-2009, 20:21

You could write to them saying the voices in your head say this will be fun lol

**Matt D** · 30-12-2009, 20:22

You could get yourself some of those glasses like the ones Homer once wore for Jury service

...

Gary L · 30-12-2009, 20:29

Just writing to them and telling them that you have a criminal record is enough.

That's assuming you don't want to do it

Peter_ · 30-12-2009, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Gah! Got a letter informing me that I have been selected for Jury Service?

Does anyone know what I can expect?

The company I work for is also quite small, is it really fair that I have to do this? Would the fact I need to take a responsible amount of time of work enough reason to defer?

If you have to serve it should be for a maximum of 2 weeks and they will ask if you are available for a longer period just say no to that as you can end up on a very long case.

In my experience the first week I never got called once and read a lot of books and in the 2nd week I served on 2 juries and was sent home on the Wednesday and back to work.

If anything it is very boring and tedious time just waiting for your name to be called.

papa smurf · 30-12-2009, 20:49

just remember flog em then hang em [if your Tory]

hug em and let em go[ if your liberal]

award them a huge payout and give them extra benefits then let em go [if your new reinvented labor]

oh and its always the butler wot dun it

Sirius · 30-12-2009, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

just remember flog em then hang em [if your Tory]

hug em and let em go[ if your liberal]

award them a huge payout and give them extra benefits then let em go [if your new reinvented labor]

oh and its always the butler wot dun it

Excellent you summed that up well

**Kymmy** · 30-12-2009, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

Just writing to them and telling them that you have a criminal record is enough.

That's assuming you don't want to do it

Well after writing that letter you soon will have a criminal record!!!

AndyCambs · 30-12-2009, 21:18

Guidance for Summoning Officers when considering deferral and excusal applications here, states:

Quote:

Jurors may be excused for valid business reasons. Applications of this type should, however, be looked at closely and granted only if there would be unusual hardship. A small business is an example of a case where such hardship might be suffered, although each case must be considered on its individual merits. Paragraph 4 (above) applies.

Having said that, as a citizen of the UK, it's your duty to attend and serve. You're more likely to get a deferral rather than excusal by the way.