Jury service advice....

Charlie,
I have read the whole thread with interest.
It seems that you will be treated differently depending on where you live.
I think you should explain your full circumstances to them,in writing.
If that doesn’t work,I think you should ask your MP for guidance as I believe this is a national issue that needs clarifying.
Good luck and try not to worry too much....it’ll all work out OK in the end.
 
What ever you do please take the Justice system seriously.

Reply or contact them and do not offer any silly excuses.

When I did my bit one of the jurors was a few minutes late back from lunch.

The judge called her out and asked if she had a nice lunch and how much it cost.

On her reply he told her it cost £100 plus the cost of her lunch and if she was late again he would take it extremely seriously.

They have absolutely no sense of humour. :)
 
MikeD said:
What ever you do please take the Justice system seriously.

Reply or contact them and do not offer any silly excuses.

When I did my bit one of the jurors was a few minutes late back from lunch.

The judge called her out and asked if she had a nice lunch and how much it cost.

On her reply he told her it cost £100 plus the cost of her lunch and if she was late again he would take it extremely seriously.

They have absolutely no sense of humour. :)
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Exactly Why they should pay a decent wage say £150 a day minimum to show it’s a prop Job not something that they are forcing you to do
 
Ivory55 said:
Exactly Why they should pay a decent wage say £150 a day minimum to show it’s a prop Job not something that they are forcing you to do
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It's really a civic duty, not a job. Part of the way a democratic and fair society runs.

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David and Sally said:
It's really a civic duty, not a job. Part of the way a democratic and fair society runs.
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I don’t think so . Funny how rich people tell poor people it’s their civic duty whilst they have their noses in the troughs. When Charity is really charity not a business, when politicians are honest, when the House of Lords is not a pension top up club may be it will but not before.
 
I would write a letter explaining your situation and speak to your doctor and ask him to supply a letter that gives a full explanation that you need to care for your wife and she can't be left and send it off to them asap .

As said you need to respect the system as it is easy to end up in the court in front of the judge yourself .
 
Ivory55 said:
I don’t think so . Funny how rich people tell poor people it’s their civic duty whilst they have their noses in the troughs. When Charity is really charity not a business, when politicians are honest, when the House of Lords is not a pension top up club may be it will but not before.
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I'm not rich and I don't have a trough.

Regardless of what politicians do or don't do the whole object of jury service is that you are tried by twelve of your peers. If you can't do it due to circumstances then that is covered by the appeals proceedure.

It can be expensive and incovenient sure but it's still a duty.

And no, I have never been called yet but I do expect a call some time and I will expect to serve when ordered.
 
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MikeD said:
On her reply he told her it cost £100 plus the cost of her lunch and if she was late again he would take it extremely seriously.
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he'd have had to lock me up there & then as I'd have kicked off big time.First thing they should do is start at a sensible time ,not 9,30 am or 10 & finish at 4 when they've only just come back from lunch.
He'd have had to throw away the key as well as I'd never pay or apologise.

David and Sally said:
Part of the way a democratic and fair society runs.
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Then why can't we punish the offenders correctly & have chain gangs & execution ?
 
When I started this thread my only concerns were how the hell can I be here where I’m needed and in a court 20 miles away.

The monetary side was a side issue but now I think about it I can see a serious side to that as well.
Having looked a wee bit on the internet it seems the maximum one can claim is £64 per day.... That is if we work. As above I don’t work. In effect I retired early to look after the boss....

So. A working person would get paid as normal by thier employer. Fair enough..

An unemployed person would continue to get benefits. Again fair enough.

The self employed would get £64 a day

Someone like me would bugger all.

Of course everyone gets 5 quid a day travelling. Do they not realise diesel is 7 quid a gallon ?

In this day and age 64 quid a day is ridiculous. Who is the criminal here the body in the dock or those who are effectively forced into sitting on the jury ?

I am taking this very seriously just as I have to. I’m not in the least bit happy though .

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My only piece of advice on this subject is minimal, (but it might get you out of it on the day)
When you are sat in the Jury Room on day one with your peers, there will come a time when the Jury Manager (or whatever they're called) will say words to the effect,"Will you come with me" indicating a certain number of peeps. There will be well in excess of the required twelve persons.
Keep your rear end in your seat and occupy the last place in the queue to leave the room (V important.)
Then, when you enter the Court room you will NOT be one of the first twelve in there.

With any luck the defence will not object to the first twelve and you will then leave Court.

At that point, depending on business, you may be released.

I agree, not sure fire, but at least there is a chance by doing this that you won't be automatically selected for service.
 
A couple of times when I have done it there have been jurors late back from lunch and been fined per minute .

On a couple of occasions I have been on service and one of the courts is in session hearing jurors that have not turned up and been summoned .

As said I have done it 4 times and had a number of different cases around the courts in my area of W London at the time .
 
Out of interest is the letter registered delivery and signed for by the house holder?

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Might not help you, but I was excused on medical grounds, after explaining that I need to go to the toilet every 20 minutes, did get a letter form my GP.
 
State you are happy to attend just service and request you are seated as close as possible to the witness box as you have a hearing deficiency and which results in misinterpretation of some words. You will then be rejected........like I was.
 
@Mr Chrysalis
That was dated 2013. Contact the court and see what they say first.
 
Mr Chrysalis said:
I just found this on the internet
“A decision about whether or not I am elligle to attend jury service was made in just 15 minutes today.
I am a full time carer for my partner, who is disabled following a stroke 10 years ago and Rhumatoid Arthritis more recently. I got a form 2 days ago to fill in and return to say that I was available for jury service. Because of my partners lack of mobility I have to attend to her frequently during the day. It is going to be very difficult if I am away all day doing jury service.
I sent an email, ellaborating on my daily tasks, to the Jurers Management team and also mentioned that our Doctor is sending me a letter confirming my partners mobility problems. But despite all this I got a reply within 15 minutes stating:

Unfortunately, at this time, being a carer is not grounds for exemption. I would therefore be grateful if you could complete and return your Form of Return in the pre-paid envelope provided.
Is this the usual response to carers or has any other carers received a sympathic response to their situation?”

Here is a link to that forum

https://www.carersuk.org/forum/support-and-advice/all-about-caring/jury-service-17813
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If you follow this story through you will see he did eventually get an exemption.

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Theonlysue said:
@Mr Chrysalis
That was dated 2013. Contact the court and see what they say first.
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Yes it was a few years old but I thought the forum would be useful. Contacting the Jury Officer and explaining is clearly the best advice
 
First time I was called the judge was ill so we got sent home by midday.
Got called a few years later, on the Monday after sitting about all day defendant change his plee so we all got sent home. Had to go back on the Wensday me and another guy who were both self employed they made sure we were on the reserve list, so they are quite understanding. Luckily we didn't get called just had to sit in court until everyone was happy with the jury. The lady judge didn't think much of us two, when the charges were read out, the guy was accused of leuid behaviour in a public park. Me and the other guy looked at each other and burst out laughing, if looks could kill you should have seen her face.
 
Could you try feigning illness... blame it on a dodgy turkey? No, in all seriousness I think speaking to someone informing them of your carer duties, they can't be that heartless!
Try and enjoy your Christmas
 
Silver-Fox said:
Maybe the judges shouldn’t be paid so much then :)
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Hmm. I thing modern day judges are out of touch. But to be a judge takes years of training and commitment. (Don't laugh). They are they top of their profession. If you want to change that become a judge

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Silver-Fox said:
Out of interest is the letter registered delivery and signed for by the house holder?
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No.... It was in yesterday’s post in the box outside. So unrecorded by us but I think the postman can tick a box on his paperwork to say it’s been delivered.

I would not just say I haven’t had it anyway.
 
David and Sally said:
Hmm. I thing modern day judges are out of touch. But to be a judge takes years of training and commitment. (Don't laugh). They are they top of their profession. If you want to change that become a judge
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So are you saying a judge is worthy of paying but a jury is not. So if it’s not a worthwhile job why would anybody be interested in doing it.
 
Anyone know how they proceed when you don't reply to the letter, I know it is an offence not to reply. I am thinking letter drops through your door a few days after you have gone on holiday for 3 months.
 
Lenny HB said:
Anyone know how they proceed when you don't reply to the letter, I know it is an offence not to reply. I am thinking letter drops through your door a few days after you have gone on holiday for 3 months.
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If it’s out of the country you will have proof with tickets etc, if in this country may be site fees etc would prove your not at home so unable to read your post.
 

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