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Rules of Jury Service

By: Dave Howell - Updated: 15 Mar 2021 | comments*Discuss
 
Jury Court Case Coroner Coroner’s Court

If you are called to sit on a jury it is important they you are aware of the rules that you must abide by. As you are being asked to decide on the guilt or innocence of a person accused of a crime, or the cause of death if you have been called to a coroner’s court, you must always conduct yourself sensibly during the case each time you attend the court.

The rules that are laid down for jurors to follow are there to not only ensure a fare trial takes place, the rules also protect the jurors who may be involved in a highly sensitive cases.

You Must Always:

  • Return pages 3 and 4 of your jury summons form within 7 days of receiving it. If you do not reply to the jury summons form you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
  • Make sure you keep pages 1 and 2 of your jury summons form in a safe place as you must bring these with you when you come to the court on the first day.
  • Only discuss the case you are involved with when you are in the designated jury room.
  • Inform the court officials if anyone approaches you about the case your jury is involved with that is not a jury member.
  • Bring any evidence relating to any claim for expenses or loss of earnings you may have. Loss of earnings must be shown on the official Certificate of Loss of Earnings.
  • Arrive promptly at court for each day that your case is running.

You must never:

  • Discuss the case you are involved with anyone who is not a member of your own jury.
  • Forget to attend the court where your jury is sitting, or be incapable of attending because of drink or drugs. These offences could mean you are fined up to £1,000.
  • Bring a camera, mobile phone, laptop or other recording equipment into the courtroom.
  • Let anyone else take your place on a jury. It is a criminal offence to impersonate a sitting juror.
  • Take any notes you have made in the courtroom home with you. This information is sensitive and could affect the case your jury is sitting on.

What Happens if I Break these Rules?

If you don’t follow the rules that are set out for all jury members you face a fine of up to £1,000 for lesser offences such as not completing forms or being late at court. However, it’s important that you understand that the jury is part of the legal system. If you discuss your case with anyone other than another jury member, you could be perverting the course of justice, which is a much more serious offence.

In the courtroom

All members of the jury will be told in advance of the trial what their responsibilities are. If at any time during the trail you are unsure about anything, you should write this down and attract the attention of the court clerk who will pass the note to the judge. Don’t try and contact anyone else in the court, as it’s only the court clerk who can pass messages.

Foreman or Presiding Juror

The jury that you serve on will have a foreman or forewoman. They are elected before the trail begins. They guide the jury to their verdict and speak in court when the judge asks for the juries’ verdict to be given. When you are in the courtroom you must only contact the court’s clerk if you need to report anything and not your jury foreperson as this is not part of their duties.

If you are in any doubt about your duties as a juror, contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau for help. You can telephone them on: 08453 555 567 or send them an email at: jurysummoning@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk.

If you live in Northern Ireland you can contact the Jury Management Team on: 028 7126 1329. If you live in Scotland you can contact civil jurors court of session on: 0131 240 6772 or for criminal jurors at the high court of justiciary on: 0131 240 6907.

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[Add a Comment]
My son has been called up for jury service. He has been living in Australia since 2018 but is still on the UK electoral register because we don't know when he might return. I replied to the summons explaining the situation but have received a letter saying he is still required to attend. I have appealed again, saying he may lose his job. Will the courts pay his return air fare? It appears that living overseas is not a reason to be excused.
Nigel - 15-Mar-21 @ 9:24 PM
Can I be permanently excused from jury summons if I suffer from severe panic attacks anxiety and other health conditions I can not leave my front door on very bad days I wont be able to cope sitting next to complete strangers never been to court before. I have tried to ring them to tell them I cant do this but the office isntopen. This terrifles me. Why was I selected any advice please would help thank you
Lil - 13-Feb-21 @ 11:33 AM
My daughter has just had her application for exemption refused, she is a single parent with 4 children , aged 8, 7, 5 & 2, she has investigated childcare in her very rural area, which has no public transport and can only find a max of 6 hrs per week for the 2 Yr old.The others have no access to any pre or after school activities. I can't help due to health problems, a neighbour would help a little but not under current Covid restrictions.There is no one else she can turn to.She has done jury service before so understands the commitment and knows she can defer but she is so desperately anxious that I am seriously concerned about her. She is talking about committing a crime as apparently that would exempt her. Is there anywhere she can turn to?
Polly - 7-Oct-20 @ 4:13 PM
I hope you dont ever ask me because I wont be coming.The state does NOT tell me what to do . End of
Pop - 10-Aug-20 @ 7:05 PM
I am self employed window cleaner and I tried to get excused from jury service because I'm self employed and don't get paid..they have asked me for official information and proof of my work commitments to get excused. What can I show to get excused .
Hutchy - 8-Feb-20 @ 7:12 PM
please proof read the article: Foreman or Presiding Juror The jury that you serve on will have a foreman or forewoman. They are elected before the TRAIL and then the judge asks for the JURIES' verdict to be given
Bob - 14-Nov-19 @ 2:51 PM
@Beth - sounds like you need to see your GP if your periods are so bad that they affect your day-to-day life. I wouldn't worry about being called to do jury service, it is very random and quite rare.
BrioB - 18-May-18 @ 11:27 AM
I have extremely heavy and erratic periods. They are so bad that I have had to take supply teaching work rather than regular employment as I would be absent every 3 or 4 weeks. At its worst, I need the bathroom every 30 minutes and get severe pain and nausea.3 people in my village have been called for jury service in recent weeks and I am terrified I might be next as I would not cope. Any suggestions?
Beth - 17-May-18 @ 5:11 PM
what nickname - Your Question:
I see this too often.you would need to contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, directly, via the link here as we don't have this information.Do you have any information or are you here just for show?

Our Response:
Where we can answer specific questions, we will. Many people ask questions that cannot be answered by us because it is theJury Central Summoning Bureau they should be approaching. This is the go-to helpline for general administrative questions, of which we have no knowledge.
CourtroomAdvice - 10-Nov-17 @ 2:27 PM
I see this too often......you would need to contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, directly, via the link here as we don't have this information.......Do you have any information or are you here just for show?
what nickname - 9-Nov-17 @ 11:43 PM
I have been called for jury service but I am not British and have only lived in the UK for 3 years. Am I exempt?
AF37 - 20-Oct-17 @ 2:41 PM
I missed my dury duty as Me and the kids were unwell on the date. I phoned up to let them know I couldn’t attend and they took note of it but what till happen now? Will I get into trouble for not being able to attend?
JEx - 28-Sep-17 @ 9:52 AM
I was summoned for jury service for the second time for April this year but delayed it as I was offered a job working abroad. Initially this was for 6 months however this is now permanent and I will not be in England at all for the next year if not longer. I have called all the numbers and I cannot get through to anyone. How can I get hold of someone? Is there an email address I can contact. Thank you.
Lb3675 - 30-Sep-16 @ 10:45 AM
TLamb - Your Question:
I have been recently selected for Jury Duty, however I did not send the form off within the 7 days as I was in the middle of a move. Is this a major problem? I am now waiting on the form to be sent to me as I need to inform my place of work but it's still not arrived. Would this be due to my late reply?

Our Response:
I'm afraid we cannot answer this question as we are not connected to their administration procedures, you would have to contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau.
CourtroomAdvice - 26-Jul-16 @ 12:34 PM
I have been recently selected for Jury Duty, however I did not send the form off within the 7 days as I was in the middle of a move. Is this a major problem? I am now waiting on the form to be sent to me as I need to inform my place of work but it's still not arrived. Would this be due to my late reply?
TLamb - 25-Jul-16 @ 5:53 PM
Rodgie - Your Question:
I have been called for jury service and am dreading it. I have had to take flexible retirement and reduce my lecturing activities as I find that I need to go to the toilet regularly and suddenly. I had major brain surgery in 2013. I contacted the court and asked if I would be able to go to the toilet regularly and easily. Typically I have had no reply. Could you advise me as to what I need to do to ensure that I am able to go to the toilet regularly? ThanksRoger Falconer

Our Response:
You would have to contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau directly regarding this as I'm afraid this is beyond our remit.
CourtroomAdvice - 6-May-16 @ 12:45 PM
I have been called for jury service and am dreading it. I have had to take flexible retirement and reduce my lecturing activities as I find that I need to go to the toilet regularly and suddenly. I had major brain surgery in 2013. I contacted the court and asked if I would be able to go to the toilet regularly and easily. Typically I have had no reply. Could you advise me as to what I need to do to ensure that I am able to go to the toilet regularly? Thanks Roger Falconer
Rodgie - 5-May-16 @ 8:47 PM
Hi, I went to court when I was 15 and I wasn't allowed in the courtroom. I spoke to the judge via video link. I have no records or paperwork of when I went to court. I still don't really know what happened and what was said. I feel that if I was older, I would've been allowed in court and I would've known what went on and why I lost the case. I would like to have copies/access to these files and don't know how to go about getting them. It was in Isleworth Crown court. Can you please give me any details to help me go about getting this information? I was in social services care at the time and they have given me my files, but this doesn't include anything to do with court. Thanks.
J5 - 2-May-16 @ 3:31 PM
I have been summoned for jury duty, though i only just found the letter and i am already a few days late to reply, how much of a problem is this? Also, I need to defer and most preferably be excused as im a student and dont know of any time in the next 12 months I could serve as Im away all summer and would rather not do it over easter as i need that time to revise, how likely is it I will get excused?
Joe - 16-Jan-16 @ 3:58 AM
The foreman if a jury is NOT selected at the beginning of a trial, but after the jury retires to consider its verdict after the evidence has been heard and the Judge has completed his summing up.
Johnny BE - 5-Oct-15 @ 9:59 AM
I am due on jury service in few days time, I cannot find my original summons letter and it states I must take pages 1 +2 with me. I have a letter of confirmation of jury service, will I be fined, Im really worried?
libby - 25-Sep-15 @ 12:41 PM
Ive recently finished my jury service, never did this before it was my first time, at first i found it a little intimidating, daunting, but it was the best experience of my life. I was on a big case that lasted 3 weeks,it was so interesting to hear the science behind things, so very different to reading it in the paper. Its not nice seeing or hearing certain things about the case,but it really is a good experience. The usher and Jury manager were very friendly and always there to help you if you should need it. Met some nice people on my jury team. Jury service i would reccomend!
D - 26-Aug-15 @ 9:11 AM
Are we allowed to take mobile phones with us? Obviously not going to be used in the courtroom. But i mean when we're waiting like on the first day waiting to be called? Also do they have lockers available? Mine is at Chelmsford..
Sam - 23-Jul-15 @ 10:48 AM
If I am required to serve as a juror am I allowed to attend work the same day? I have been told that I cannot and also that I can but I'm not sure.
K9916 - 14-Jul-15 @ 6:57 PM
@Ginatinkerbells - as specified in the article, ff you are in any doubt about your duties as a juror, contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau for help. You can telephone them on: 08453 555 567 or send them an email at: jurysummoning@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk.
CourtroomAdvice - 29-Jun-15 @ 3:11 PM
Does anyone know the on call number for jury service for the aylesbury and Amersham area? On call at the mo and lost the number
Ginatinkerbells - 26-Jun-15 @ 10:34 PM
@J - you would need to contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, directly, via the link here as we don't have this information.
CourtroomAdvice - 10-Jun-15 @ 10:36 AM
i attended jury service on the 7th April 2015! All paperwork was handed in on my first day! To date I have not been paid for my attendance!! My Company filled out all the relevant paperwork! I've had money put into my account for travel and meals but not for loss of earnings! Regards Jannette.
J - 8-Jun-15 @ 5:55 PM
I overlooked returning my form. My jury service starts on May 5th. My form was returned on the 30th April. Am I likely to receive a fine. Since the beginning of the year I have been involved in helping a friend move & completely overlooked the form?
NAKEDGARDENER - 3-May-15 @ 2:44 AM
@Georgina - you would have to get in touch with the courts and ask whether that would be allowed to have your laptop in the communal area. Some courts allow it.
Nick - 17-Apr-15 @ 12:56 PM
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