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

misspoppy

Hi Rob

In answer to your original concerns re your part time job, assuming its after regular office hours your should still be able to go to work as court usually finishes around 4.30, its quite surprsising how short the legal day appears to be!

I hope this helps

Any

scotsman4th wrote: »

I would recommend you budget better for your car tax. What if you had fell down some stairs and broke your neck? Jury duty expenses would have ceased as would your wages (if you received full pay when absent i'd assume they'd pay for jury duty).
Road tax is a legal requirement so that you can use your vehicle on the public highway. If you are unable to pay your road tax, I would advise you to SORN your vehicle and leave it parked off road (at an address/place that you have advised DVLA of).

Dead easy to judge, isn't it? You know nothing of the circumstances. Maybe the OP did budget but the boiler gave up and the money went on that?
One way or another, just by "you should budget better" you cannot dismiss the fact that the government wants us there but leaves us seriously out of pocket for doing a job for them!
I have nothing against doing a service and I would probably enjoy it, but I haven't been called to do so yet. I think most of the people would do it without second thought (not like Anniehanlon suggests people just don't want to do it) but if you leave people out of pocket I think some people might struggle. Especialy in current financial climate.

LittleCharlie

smartandshrewd wrote: »

So what happens if your work pattern is irregular or erratic, say if you're a temp worker, bank nurse, supply teacher etc.? Or self-employed?

RE Self employed workers, sometimes there is an exemption. For instance, I'm a photographer, self employed part time, and if I had jobs booked when the jury service was due to start, then I more than likely wouldn't have to do it. The reason is, because people have hired me for MY skill, and MY creativity. And things like weddings can't be rearranged!

Not ALL self employed workers can get away with this. EG, any mechanic can service a car to the same standard, any boiler engineer etc. You have to prove that you would lose substancial money and reputation by being at jury service, which someone in the creative industry could (as well as other industries I should think).

DUKE

I served on the jury in the 80s & they will pay you if your employer doesn't.

My Mother was called up last year & according to the papers I read you can be excused 3 times.

Porkbell

You could get a letter from your employer explaining that your role is essential to the business, and the business cannot function without you. Your employer probably doesn't want to lose you for however many weeks, so it may be worth a go. It may depend whether the business is large or small and what your job is. With a small business where the role is essential, you may have a more chance.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I got called for jury duty and on the Friday before I was due to start someone rang and said they had summoned too many jurors for that week and I would'nt be needed.Apparently that often happens.

mountainofdebt

Well as taking part in the jury system seems so unpopular perhaps the government could abloish trial by jury..........

....wonder how long it would take for the howls of protest to start then!

Scaredy_Cat_3

Sorry for repeating myself, I'm sure I've said this before... but do check the details on your home insurance policy. Some include cover for jury service and will pay out. My Halifax policy includes this as standard.