Jury Service (Scotland)

foxprorawks

I've been called to appear for Jury Service near the end of next month.

The problem is that in Scotland, for the first 10 days, you are only paid a maximum of around £56 per day for loss of earnings.

I work as a contractor through an umbrella company, so I would lose approximately £280 from my take home pay (and the agency/umbrella company won't make up the shortfall) if I have to attend for 10 days (or £28 per day).

This is really unfair - I've been called for jury service 4 times in my life (although I've never actually had to serve on a jury). The last time was just over 2 years ago - you become eligible for selection again after 2 years.

It's especially tough as I was sequestrated a month ago, so I can't afford to lose this kind of money. Also, bankruptcy doesn't disqualify you from jury service.

Any thoughts?

sjpkgp

I was called up last November when I was on maternity leave. So luckily I just invoiced them for my childcare (although it was close to the limit as I have two under school age children). Had i been in normal work, the £56 a day or wahtever it is, would not have covered my wages, but given I work for a large company, I would have had to have a talk with them about how they handled such things. The worst affected are the self employed who don't have that fall back position. If I were you, I would ring them and talk about it, they must have thousands in the same position as you.


Incidentally, it was the third time I had been called since 18 yrs old, first time I was sitting my finals, second time I was about to be in labour for 1st child(any minute) the last time I had no real excuse (although all my mates said - you have got a 3 week old baby (4th child) but i did it anyway. Glad I did, it was a great experience - I would not mind being called again but not at a loss to me.

Talk to them, I think they are quite understanding.

foxprorawks

Well, I effectively am self-employed. Through the umbrella company I pay normal PAYE for income tax and NI as well as the employers contribution for NI. I get no holiday pay - I only get paid for days I actually attend work. Absences for any reason result in no pay.

Just over two years ago I was called up for jury service and was nearing the end of a contract which was likely to be renewed. Because I and the client knew I wouldn't be available to be at the client's office on a future date (because I had to attend court to see if I would be picked for jury service) my contract was terminated early (by giving a week's notice) and the contract wasn't renewed. The client's concern was that I may have to serve on a jury and they needed someone who was guaranteed to be available for three months.

I'm in a similar situation now. My complaints two years ago fell on deaf ears, so I don't think the court service will take much notice this time.

I really think it's rediculous that the maximum compensation you can get for loss of earnings is so low. The maximum is different after 10 days (it rises to around £114 per day), but there are people who earn far more than that per day who are expected to just give up their livelihood for the duration of a court case which could last pretty much any length of time.

I understand that some employers will pay their employees during jury service, but not everyone is in that fortunate position (and why should employers be expected to foot the bill?)

Sillychuckie

Can't you just say you hate everything?
Say you are racist, sexist and every other 'ist'... they tend not to like people like that on Jury's.
Say you hate criminals and they should all suffer.... must be plenty of ways of getting out of it.
*shrug*.

dippy-dora_2

Hi someone I know who is on VERY limited money has been called up too.
What he needs to know is do they pay expenses upfront?

it is going to cost him roughly 6 pound a day return bus fare, and being on benefits he is not going to be able to afford the travel costs upfront for more than 2 days if he is chosen!!

Thanks in advance of any replies

dippy-dora_2

Sillychuckie wrote:

Can't you just say you hate everything?
Say you are racist, sexist and every other 'ist'... they tend not to like people like that on Jury's.
Say you hate criminals and they should all suffer.... must be plenty of ways of getting out of it.
*shrug*.

His get out clause is he will sit and pick his nose so he's not chosen lol!

grex9101

dippy-dora wrote:

Hi someone I know who is on VERY limited money has been called up too.
What he needs to know is do they pay expenses upfront?

it is going to cost him roughly 6 pound a day return bus fare, and being on benefits he is not going to be able to afford the travel costs upfront for more than 2 days if he is chosen!!

Thanks in advance of any replies

shirking work, shirking jury duty.... maybe he could try working for a living?

i digress...

anyway,
so theoretically,if you worked 12 hour shifts as part of you job, they would technically be paying you less than min.wage?

surely that cannot be right.

just walk in wearing an SS uniform-that'll sort it!

RoCas

One of my friends was called for jury service and wrote to them explaining he didn't like the police and didn't feel he could be unbiased if they were called to give evidence (this was actually how he felt) and he was excused. Hmmmmm!

dippy-dora_2

grex9101 wrote:

shirking work, shirking jury duty.... maybe he could try working for a living?

i digress...

QUOTE]

What a total thoughtless post, and could be quite upsetting to the wrong person.

Can I suggest you think about what you post next time?

grex9101

dippy-dora wrote:

grex9101 wrote:

shirking work, shirking jury duty.... maybe he could try working for a living?

i digress...

QUOTE]

What a total thoughtless post, and could be quite upsetting to the wrong person.

Can I suggest you think about what you post next time?

hm, my previous post has mysteriously vanished (i wonder why).

to reiterate:

I think EVERY time I post, but i will not be told what to think just because someone disagrees. The net is one of the last bastions of free speech and I WILL NOT be censored. I also do not subscribe to the current PC culture in which you offend someone if you breathe the wrong way.

If you do not agree, simply don't reply.

I thank you.

spike9

to reiterate:

i will not be told what to think just because someone disagrees.

If you do not agree, simply don't reply.

Nice One !