Full time mum - Jury service!

Janepig

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Have you considered not doing the jury service, I got called up when I had two small children, I just told them I couldn't do it, they were fine about it.

How long ago? Since the rules changed, quite recently, making just about everyone eligible (unfortunately I'm someone who can no longer get out of it by virtue of my employment - grrrrrr:rolleyes:), it's also been made alot more difficult to get out of it. You can defer, once, but eventually have to do it regardless.

Jxx

meester

mrsbez wrote: »

Hi all,

I start my jury service in two weeks time and they have told me i can claim for someone to look after my two little children (DD4) and (DS1) whilst i attend the court.

I phoned them and they confirmed that i could claim for a relative to look after my children and i need to get a letter from the relative to say how much i am paying them.

Just wondered if anyone has been in s similar position and how much did you claim for a relative looking after your children???

I would phone a childminder and ask.

I had a look on www.childcarelink.gov.uk and one ad was at

£5/hour

with 10% sibling discount

Other say £4, or £4.50 per hour

You can search in your local area on childcarelink for rates.

So in total you might be looking at £8-£10/hour. For 9 hour day that could be up to £90.

barnaby-bear

mrsbez wrote: »

Hi all,

I start my jury service in two weeks time and they have told me i can claim for someone to look after my two little children (DD4) and (DS1) whilst i attend the court.

I phoned them and they confirmed that i could claim for a relative to look after my children and i need to get a letter from the relative to say how much i am paying them.

Just wondered if anyone has been in s similar position and how much did you claim for a relative looking after your children???


thanks in advance

I did this and a really nasty *long* case - they have more people than they need and they allow you to make a statement as to why you can't do it to the judge - lack of childcare/family support, child who threw tantrums / wasn't used to other care were all reasons given and allowed- luckily I had a work trip booked months in advance so never did the service as my excuse was allowed as couldn't commit to the 7 weeks (yes nasty case)

barnaby-bear

Janepig wrote: »

How long ago? Since the rules changed, quite recently, making just about everyone eligible (unfortunately I'm someone who can no longer get out of it by virtue of my employment - grrrrrr:rolleyes:), it's also been made alot more difficult to get out of it. You can defer, once, but eventually have to do it regardless.

Jxx

They let every parent who raised this reason this summer (July 2008) out of service on the case I was called for -

Janepig

barnaby-bear wrote: »

They let every parent who raised this reason this summer (July 2008) out of service on the case I was called for -

Oh, cool. I'll have to remember this if I have the misfortune to be called.

Jxx

hellies

I think if you say there is no way you can find childcare they will let you off. If you tell them that they will have to pay your 2 weeks minimum childcare regardless of whether you are there for a day or two weeks due to booking the time with a childminder then I'm sure they'll be happy to let you off. My dad got a case that lasted 5 months, had he been in a position to find childcare arrangements it would have been impossible. Everyone on his jury group had older children or no children. Personally i would ring them and say you either need to be excused or they have to pay a minimum of 2 weeks childcare. If they agree to pay then charge them £3 ph per child- you cant really claim childminders rates as your relative isn't a qualified childminder.

mrsbez_2

Gosh, i've been very ill over the last coupdle of days and haven't been online. I'm so surprised at the posts already!!

Just to clarify. My sis-in-law has offered to look after the children whilst i am on jury service. I am only claiming the money so that i can pay it to her and i will be paying all that i claim to her.

Yes she would probably do it for free, but seeing that i can claim and she is going out of her way to help me then i might aswell pay her for looking after them.

Neither of us are sure about the costs of childcare, especially for two children, that is why i came on here to ask for suggestions.

Thanks to everyone that has posted. I think the going rate for the childminder is probably the best cost, but then is that per child??

mrsbez_2

Also to clarify, i phoned the helpline number that came with the 'bumf' and forms and they said i needed to take a letter from the carer who is going to look after my children to say how much she is going to charge me.

I can claim up to about £60 per day, but i suppose this also depends on how many hours i am away.

I suppose i was hoping that someone else had been in the same situtation as me and could tell me their story.

Hellies - yes i think you are right about the £3 per hour per child. I would not be able to claim anymore than the £60 anyway so if i did have to pay for registered childcare i would be out of pocket.

Yes i could phone up and ask to be excused, but i don't want to and i feel that it is my duty to go. I'm just hoping it is only for the two weeks and no longer.

HotLips_2

Just for your information, nursery costs in my area (Ipswich) are roughly £35 inclusive of food ect for 7:30am to 6pm with a small discount of around 10% for each sibling also attending. Childminder rates vary from £2.25 to £3.50 per house, dependant on childs age, hours and provision of food etc, again there is normally a discounted charge for siblings attending at the same time.

consultant31

When I did jury service, we were asked if we could commit to a longer case than the statutory 2 weeks. If not, we didn't get called for one.