Jury Service

Gemmy_2

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to put this, but i'm really really confused and need some help.

I've been called up for Jury service.
I'm not sure where i stand with loosing money as of course i won't be working...?

My dad has never been called up and himself being himself of course knows it all and says its my employer who has to pay me my normal pay rate for it... though i've been looking at the paperwork they have sent me and am getting confused at the "allowences".

Particualy the financial loss bit...

can anyone help sort of... make it idiot proof?

mountainofdebt

I don't think your employer has to pay you but you can claim for loss of earnings - although the allowance doesn't have to cover the total amount of lost wages.

Some employers will pay you you're normal wages though again I think you have to give them the forms to complete in order to reclaim some of your wages.

I also think you get meal allowances as well.

Gemmy_2

What i've seen on the financial loss of my earnings doesn't cover my wage - in which case i really can't afford to do dury service which seems highly unfair.

on the FAQ's it says "Can my employer pay me and then claim the money back from the court?"
A: "No. By law the court can only pay the allowences detailed overleaf directly to the juror. No payment can be made directly to your employer".

Angustweedy

Your employer will have three options when deciding whether or how to pay you whilst on jury service:

They can pay you nothing, in which case:
you may claim an allowance towards your loss of earnings. Assuming you are only required for 10 days and are required in court for over 4 hours every day you will be paid a maximum of £63.12 per day plus £5.55 (for any day you are in court for up to 10 hours(over 10 hours you receive £11.83 per day) if you are not required for over 4 hours then you would receive a maximum of £37.11 per day, there are no tax and NI deductions to this as it is seen as a compensation payment and not earnings, so assuming you are required every day for over 4 hours but no more than 10 (which I would guess would be the norm) you would receive compensation up to a maximum - which is the equivalent of £23, 087.00 per annum.
This is dependent on what your employer writes on the form detailing if you can return to work for part days, so if they expect you to return to work they will need to pay you for those hours. If they don't then you would receive the full amount.

OR

They can continue paying you your earnings in full.

OR

They can top up a loss-of-earnings allowance you may receive from the court. In this case your employer will need to confirm on the paperwork for the court the amount of net pay you will lose by being on jury service.

Your employer does not have to pay you anything, although many do.

The wording you have highlighted re can they claim money back is because basically if they do decide to pay you the your nomral salary , that is their choice and they can't claim it back obviously you can still claim any expenses you incur ie travel and subsistence.

I would suggest you speak to your employer to understand what their policy is, but unless you are currently earning over £23k you will not be worse off. If you are earning over £23k it may not be a great consolation now, but very few people get called for jury service in their lifetime and personally it really was an experience of a lifetime for me.

Hope the above helps.

sassy_one

Does everyone get called up and what is the criteria in getting selected?

LOL - Just curious really

C_Mababejive

It depends on your employer. Many big ones just pay and factor the cost into employment. They are not obliged to do so and if they dont,then you need to complete the enclosed expenses/loss of earnings documents. Consult your employer now. Also you will be paid daily travelling expenses so keep your bus tickets. They do not normally pay for taxis. You will get a daily payment for food/refreshments. Many courts issue you with an electronic payment card which is pre charged with credit to be used in the canteen. Relax,enjoy...once you get into it,.you will be fine

Gemmy_2

Thanks August, is it quite iregular to be in court for less than 4 hours - because that would be the only problem - over 4 hours would be abosolutley fine.

Also my worry is, i'm only 20. I feel as if i'm quite young to do this and understand its an important job to have. Or maybe if no-one will listen to me.

Angustweedy

When I did jury service there were only a couple of days when they released me early, my employer said I could return to work so I did and they paid me my wage for doing so.

Individuals are selected completely at random from the electoral register, anyone aged 18 - 70, who has been a UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man resident for at least five consecutive years.

Please do not worry about your age, I was younger than you when I did Jury service, I was 19, your view is as important as anyone else's, each person on the jury decides if the defendant is guilty or not guilty, some may change their mind during discussions in the retiring room, but even if you completely disagree with everyone else view then the judge will be asked if he will accept a majority verdict.

rach

could you not speak to your HR people at work as they will have a policy on it- depending on the size of place you work of course.

I was called once but then they later cancelled, so it may change!

Gemmy_2

I'm going to speak to work today (i start work at 3). Is is iregular for jury service to last less than 4 hours?

Gemmy_2

I've just phoned up their helpline for this and the bloke on the phone basically put my whole mind at ease.

He said that most employers pay you but if they don't you can claim
The employer's can choose to let you come back to work if your at court for less than 4 hours - if thats the case then they take over payment.
If they choose not to have you back after court, the court pays for the whole day.

Which means either way i will get my full day pay which is what i need.

So phew.

Thank you all for your help.