Serving on a jury is a civic duty that anyone that lives in UK could be called upon to perform. You can be called for jury service if:
You are between the ages of 18 and 70.
You are registered on your local government’s electoral register.
You have lived in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands for the last 5 years since you were 13 years old.
There are certain people who cannot serve on a jury. These people include:
Anyone on bail or that has previous convictions or has served a prison sentence.
If you are currently or have in the past suffered from a mental health problem. This includes if you are in a hospital, visit a doctor for treatment regularly, or you are in guardianship under section 7 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
You have been called for jury service because the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB) randomly chose your name from the electoral register of everyone eligible for jury service. If you are selected and require further information you can call the JCSB on: 08453 555 567. Don’t forget to have your juror number handy as this is used to identify you. The number will be on the letter your were sent.
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.
When you receive your jury summons it will state when your jury service will take place. If you can’t be a juror during this time, you should let the Jury Central Summoning Bureau know as soon as possible.
It is possible to defer your jury duty until a more convenient time. If you do apply for a deferment, remember you can only do this once. It’s very important, therefore, you inform the JCSB of any other times over the next 12 months when you definitely won’t be available. They can then make arrangement for your jury service around these dates.
As well as a deferment you can also apply to be completely excused from your jury duty. To be totally excused jury duty you have to have a very good reason, supported with evidence. You will see a box on the summoning form you were sent were you can explain your reasons for applying for an excusal from jury service. The JCSB will evaluate your request and may ask for additional evidence such as doctor’s certificates before making their final decision.
Choosing a Jury
When you arrive at the court stated on your jury summons form, a court official who will look after you while you are at the court will meet you. Expect your bags to be searched and your identity checked. Once this is complete you will be taken to the jury assembly area where all jurors wait.
When a jury is required the court’s clerk will pick 12 people from the jury assembly area. Once you and your fellow jurors are in the court the swearing in will take place.
How Long will I have to be a Juror?
Most jurors are called for approximately 10 working days. During this time you could sit on a number of juries covering a wide-range of trials. In some exceptional circumstances you may be asked to serve as a juror for much longer. If the trial you are involved with will run for more than 2 weeks the judge will usually state this before you are sworn in. It is at this time you can raise any problems you may have with serving longer on the jury.
Can someone Take my Place?
When you are called for jury service the jury summons is made out in your name and your name alone. You cannot transfer the jury summons to someone else. Also, no one else impersonate you on a jury. This is a criminal offence.
Will I Get Picked for a Jury?
The court that has called you for jury duty always calls many more people than they may need. This is to ensure they have enough people when the juries are being picked. You many find that you attend court, but never get picked for actual jury duty. This may seem like a waste of time, but it’s your civic duty to attend the court if you are called, just in case you are chosen for jury duty.
@Jo. No - if people volunteer themselves it's a no longer a 'random' selection made bythe Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB).
CourtroomAdvice - 14 September 2011 @ 10:15 AM
I am lucky enough to not have to go out to work and would not be unduly inconvenienced if called for jury service.Is there any way I can volunteer my services?It seems unfair that some people are called a number of times and others not at all.
Jo - 12 September 2011 @ 10:08 AM
I am 28 years old and have just received my 4th jury summons, which is beyond a joke. This cannot be random, none of my friends have done it - ever! I cannot afford to lose money again.
John - 18 August 2011 @ 2:33 PM
I've been called for jury duty 3 times, the most recent one I actually got selected for the High Court, it's a combination of the most boring and most interesting thing I've done recently, but I have to say that having someones future resting on your verdict is very scary, it's the same feeling you get when you actually hear your name called to join the jury
zebedee - 14 June 2011 @ 12:49 AM
I'm due to start mine next week and I am not ashamed to admit dreading the thought of it. I hope I dont get called.
My only concern, and one I cannot find advice on, is my personal and identity safety. I understand that I will only be refered to by a given number rather than name, but I will be sitting their in full view of the accused and anyone else in court. What gaurantees have I got that I will not be followed home by some friend or relative of the accused and threatened or attacked? I will be having to rely on public transport to attend court, a near 2 hour journey. Incidents like that may be rare, but I dont want to risk it.
eddie82 - 9 June 2011 @ 11:55 PM
Have just been called for Jury Service for the fourth time in 33 years.I am 65 and am absolutely mortified.Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever get chosen again, especially not at this age.I have spoken to people of my own age group who have never been called and would love to do it.If only I could pass my place on to one of them.I have been retired for five and a half years and am not used to getting up early, getting myself ready and out the door.It will be like going to work again!Is there not something in the Human Rights Act whereby a person has the right to refuse to do Jury Service after having done it a certain number of times?I feel I have done my bit for society and contributed towards the legal systemSurely, there most be a fairer process for picking jurors then the present one, where the same people keep getting picked on time and time again.
Joan - 7 June 2011 @ 4:08 PM
Im the same...Im 63 now and not been called. Id LOVE to sit on a jury...especially on these terrorist cases. I'd Certainly do my "Civic duty" with that lot.
Kafir - 4 June 2011 @ 1:09 PM
I've just received a summons for the first time, I'm quite excited , I am looking forward for it. I'm afraid they never call my name then it would be frustrated. sharon
sharon - 21 May 2011 @ 10:30 PM
I've just received another summons which will mean my forth time sitting on a jury in 21 eligible years , while others never get selected .
The national lottery and premium bonds are random draws , jury service clearly isn't .
I'm all for doing my "civic duty" but 4 times is too much .
I've just taken a year off work to look after my new born while my wife returns to work after materity leave - connection maybe ? ...... I now resent the fact that this will not suffice as a genuine reason to be excused . I'd rather not vote and be taken off the electorial register that go through this again
Frank - 4 May 2011 @ 5:24 PM
It's very puzzling - a friend of mine has just been called for Jury Service for the third time in her life - and I have never been called. She doesn't want to do it and I do [before I reach 70!]. Is this just the luck of the Draw or may there be some secret black mark against my name?
