Rules of Jury Service

What jury service involves

Being called for jury service means you may be asked to decide whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a criminal offence. This affects real people's lives, and the rules around jury service exist to make sure trials are fair and to protect both the defendant and the jurors.

Some cases involve sensitive or distressing material. The guidelines help safeguard your wellbeing during the process, and support is available if you need it.

Most people called for jury service will be expected to attend for up to two weeks, though this can vary depending on the length of the trial you are assigned to. Sometimes cases settle or are resolved before the trial begins, and you may be discharged earlier than expected.

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Responding to your jury summons

When you receive a jury summons, you must reply within the time specified on the summons, which is usually 14 days. The summons will include instructions on how to respond, typically online through the GOV.UK website. Failing to respond can result in a fine of up to £1,000, so deal with it promptly.

Your summons will come in several parts. You will need to return or submit the relevant sections as instructed, but keep hold of the pages that confirm your attendance details. You must bring these with you on your first day at court.

If you have a genuine reason why you cannot attend on the dates given, you can ask to defer your service to a later time or apply to be excused. Valid reasons might include a pre-booked holiday, a medical condition, or caring responsibilities. The court will consider each request individually, but there is no guarantee it will be accepted. Check GOV.UK for current guidance on deferral and excusal.

You can claim expenses for travel and food during your jury service, and you may be able to claim for loss of earnings. Details of what you can claim and how to do so will be included with your summons, or you can find this information on GOV.UK.

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Rules during the trial

Once you are sworn in as a juror, there are strict rules about how you conduct yourself. These apply throughout the trial and continue even after the case has finished.

You must only discuss the case with other members of your jury, and only when you are in the private jury room. Talking about the case with anyone else, including family, friends or colleagues, is not allowed. This includes posting anything about the trial on social media.

If anyone approaches you about the case outside of the jury room, whether they seem connected to it or not, report this to a court official straight away. This protects the integrity of the trial and keeps you safe from improper contact.

You are prohibited from doing your own research into the case. This means no internet searches, no looking up news reports, and no visiting locations connected to the evidence. All the information you need to reach a verdict will be presented to you in court. Ignoring this rule is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution.

During breaks and adjournments, you may be given specific instructions about what you can and cannot do. Follow these carefully. If you are unsure about anything, ask a court usher or official.

After the trial ends

Once the trial is over and a verdict has been reached, most of the rules about secrecy continue to apply. You must not discuss what happened in the jury room with anyone outside the jury, ever. This is a lifelong obligation. Revealing details of jury deliberations is contempt of court and can lead to prosecution.

You are free to talk about the general experience of jury service, such as what the court building was like or how long the trial lasted. But the specific discussions, disagreements and reasoning that took place among the jurors must remain private.

If you find the experience difficult or distressing, support is available. The Samaritans offer a free listening service, and some courts provide information about counselling or mental health support. Speak to court staff if you need guidance on where to find help.

Jury service is a civic duty and most people complete it without significant difficulty. However, some jurors find parts of the process challenging, even when they follow all the rules. Ask for help when you need it, and refer to GOV.UK for full details on eligibility, expenses and what to expect.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Court Preparation Checklist lets you going to court for the first time can be overwhelming. Tell us your situation and get a personalised checklist covering what to bring, what to wear, what to expect, and how to prepare. Try it now →