Jury Service: I can't afford to do it!!

robthecult

Hi anyone,

Not sure if this is right place, as never posted, but avid reader

I deferred jury service last year, but have been called up again.
The problem is I am starting a part time job soon (already full time, needs must!) and I really cannot afford to lose any wages.

Can I be excused service?

Hope someone can advise (or move me to a correct board!)

Thanks

P.S have found many on here a real inspiration

mbk_2

Hi

So essentially you are asking to be deferred a second time?

It is not unheard of...you would have to write to the Jury Central Summoing Bureau and explain why you cannot serve this time round. They will obviously be aware that you deferred before.

With regards to lost wages, you can make a claim but you may still be out of pocket as the amounts that are paid are set by law. You can claim 'reasonable' expenses such as travel, parking (only some courts pay out on parking)or childcare etc etc but be prepared to show receipts detailing any expense you apply for. Again the amounts are set by law and you may stillbe out of pocket.

If you still wish to defer, it may be wise to get a letter from your employers - but this must be sent with your letter - not separately.

Hope the above helps.
MBK

robthecult wrote: »

Hi anyone,


Not sure if this is right place, as never posted, but avid reader

I deferred jury service last year, but have been called up again.
The problem is I am starting a part time job soon (already full time, needs must!) and I really cannot afford to lose any wages.

Can I be excused service?

Hope someone can advise (or move me to a correct board!)

Thanks

P.S have found many on here a real inspiration

mbk_2

mbk wrote: »

Hi

So essentially you are asking to be deferred a second time?

It is not unheard of...you would have to write to the Jury Central Summoing Bureau and explain why you cannot serve this time round. They will obviously be aware that you deferred before.

With regards to lost wages, you can make a claim but you may still be out of pocket as the amounts that are paid are set by law. You can claim 'reasonable' expenses such as travel, parking (only some courts pay out on parking)or childcare etc etc but be prepared to show receipts detailing any expense you apply for. Again the amounts are set by law and you may stillbe out of pocket.

If you still wish to defer, it may be wise to get a letter from your employers - but this must be sent with your letter - not separately.

Hope the above helps.
MBK

Hi

Just re-read your post,

You are actually asking to be excused - You still have to contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau. mAnd explain why you cannot serve this time round. They may offer you a deferral.

Scaredy_Cat_3

Also might be worth looking closely at your home insurance policy - some have a clause where you can make a claim for financial help if you have to do jury service.

currantbun

I was called for jury duty shortly after going back to work after having my second child, and faced a similar problem. I wrote and asked to be deferred, and was recalled a year later. I was prepared to do the duty but couldn't do the date they gave me. I rang them to explain and was excused altogether.
Thats not to say I won't be called again in the future!!
Ring them up and explain the situation, you might get lucky!!

nymph_2

Worth considering wether you might have a "conflict of interests" depending on what sort of case it is...

McKneff

what job do you do, without having to look anything up, wages up to a certain amount are paid, travel expenses are paid, lunch allowance is given
in some circumstances child care is paid for. i dont understand why anyone doesnt want to do jury service. i enjoyed the change for a couple of weeks,
it beat work hands down. it was like having a holiday with a difference

robthecult

anniehanlon wrote: »

what job do you do, without having to look anything up, wages up to a certain amount are paid, travel expenses are paid, lunch allowance is given
in some circumstances child care is paid for. i dont understand why anyone doesnt want to do jury service. i enjoyed the change for a couple of weeks,
it beat work hands down. it was like having a holiday with a difference

Not really a case of not wanting to do it, more that my company will not pay for the time, just starting a new part time job so no holidays etc
Take home approx £600 a week (including new job) so I may lose a hefty chunk of money ( which I need for paying debts etc)

dag_2

Take home approx £600 a week (including new job) so I may lose a hefty chunk of money ( which I need for paying debts etc)

Hmm. Have you thought about asking your creditors for a bit of slack on the interest?

If you were to say to them that you cannot pay what they're asking as soon as they want it, because you've been called for jury service, how do you think they would respond? Would you have any penalties added to your account? Would you face an interest rate hike? And if so, how much? And would it affect your credit status at a later date?

I hate to think what would happen if you were to fall ill. Do you have any type of payment-protection insurance?

I could be wrong, but I think the legal penalties for doing a no-show on your jury service are much more severe than the penalties for not paying your bills on time.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Timeoffandholidays/DG_10037655

Apparently, your employers are obliged by law to give you time off for jury service, and may be held in contempt of court if they don't. Whether or not the same thing is true of your creditors is unclear, but I think it's worth looking into.

Freddie_Snowbits

You are entitled to claim an allowance for attendance at court per day. Your employer will eventually dock this from your wages. See

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/HMCSCourtFinder/GetForms.do;jsessionid=03E0787DC5D218048E7759F5D1CDB338

Main Site

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/index.htm

Site also usefull for Fred should Freda need to pack her bags

dag wrote: »

I could be wrong, but I think the legal penalties for doing a no-show on your jury service are much more severe than the penalties for not paying your bills on time.

The Lord Dawson High Court Kilmarnock July 1999. Served two non attendees with £2,000 fines without even listening to their excuses!

robthecult

dag wrote: »

Hmm. Have you thought about asking your creditors for a bit of slack on the interest?

If you were to say to them that you cannot pay what they're asking as soon as they want it, because you've been called for jury service, how do you think they would respond? Would you have any penalties added to your account? Would you face an interest rate hike? And if so, how much? And would it affect your credit status at a later date?

I hate to think what would happen if you were to fall ill. Do you have any type of payment-protection insurance?

I could be wrong, but I think the legal penalties for doing a no-show on your jury service are much more severe than the penalties for not paying your bills on time.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Timeoffandholidays/DG_10037655

Apparently, your employers are obliged by law to give you time off for jury service, and may be held in contempt of court if they don't. Whether or not the same thing is true of your creditors is unclear, but I think it's worth looking into.

I thought I'd be allowed time off paid as well, but having discussed with main job company, it seems they are not obliged to. The other problem is my new part time job. Only due to start in next week or two. I am actually on a debt management plan so all finances are worked out. Just worried about having nothing