Called for Jury Service -advice needed

rsdiscos

I have been called for jury service on the 14th September.
The timing is a nightmare because:
a) I'm a supply teacher who is not getting paid for 6 weeks and I would just start getting work about then. Could I ring and ask them to bring it forward - anyone had experience of this?
b) My youngest son is starting school - I don't want to miss his first day.
c) We have big debts and I can't afford weeks off work - the 6 weeks is bad enough when you don't budget well anyway!:rolleyes:
I know I can defer but the next date maybe just as bad and it would be just my luck to get a long case!
Melissa

floss2

I would ask to be excused on the grounds of A & C. They will probably defer, but you may be in a better position then

Janepig

You can defer once - give them a ring and they may be able to put it off until next summer. But unfortunately you can't get out of doing it at some point. I dread ever being called because having to do jury service would be my worst nightmare.

Jxx

FairyElephant_2

In my experience, don't mention money when trying to get a date change or be excused - they are not sympathetic to this - they will tell you that they pay expenses and that's it!
I had this problem, and so did my hubby - who lost loads of wages and couldn't even get his CSA reduced for while he was doing jury service even though it was obvious he was not earning and the expenses they pay are very small!

You could go for the 'I'm a teacher - could it be brought forward so it is during the holidays?' (don't mention supply - just give them the impression that it would cause a problem for the educations of the kids you teach if you were missing for a few weeks!).

Also I'd use that your son is starting school and will be doing part-days at first (or whatever) and you can't find someone to take & fetch him at these times.

I actually found Jury Service to be a very interesting experience, and if it weren't for the lost income I'd do it again if asked!

belfastgirl23

If you're a teacher I think they expect you to get a letter form your school to confirm your story...sorry.

Janepig

FairyElephant wrote: »

I actually found Jury Service to be a very interesting experience, and if it weren't for the lost income I'd do it again if asked!

Go and sit in your local Magistrates Court for a morning - more interesting, less harrowing or boring, and you can get up and walk out whenever you feel the need!!

Jxx

jess1974

I also dread getting called up for this, my 3 kids are all school age and there is no one else to take and bring home from school, are they sympathetic to this or would my husband be forced to take time off work?

pollypenny

I was called a few years ago. I got out of it permanently. I explained that i taught mainly exam classes, used my usual phrase 'You will be aware of.......', in this case it was 'the shortage of specialist subject teachers, pointed out the students would be disadvantaged and , lo and behold, had an exemption.

Now that I'm retired, I wouldn't mind doing it.

Good luck with your efforts.
Pol

kindofagilr

Sorry I have no advice, but I just wanted to say I would love to be called for Jury Service

UKTigerlily

I have mental health propblems so can't do service but would love to! I'm sure there's a way to work round it & you might be able to take paid leave or they will top up the earnings I think

broughy

i was under the impression you could claim from the court for loss of earnings whilst you're on jury duty? i don't know how it might work for you since you do supply work though, but i'm fairly sure you're not meant to be out of pocket for doing jury duty!