IB and Jury service - anyone done it?

KPanton

Hi, I've just received a letter stating I'm due to do my first term of jury service on Jan 24th next year.

I've looked into it and while I'm off with depression, that's not my biggest concern right now.

Anyone know where I stand with going to do it, I'm wondering if daring to show up will prove me 'capable of work', even tho I know you can call in sick if you're having a bad day, it seems. Also, I searched this forum and it seems that they've streamlined the stupid idea of having to cancel JSA, do the jury service, then apply again. I'm wondering if it'll affect my benefits at all, and just wonder if anyone else has experienced it.

I guess part of me is concerned, being one of those people with an 'invisible illness' who looks just fine on the days where I leave the house, and I feel there's rather a witchhunt at present to demonise us as the root cause of why anything is wrong with the world. I also get the feeling that one step wrong is going to see me cut off, just to sate the horde. But I know this isn't a place for 'politics' just explaining some of my worries.

If I can do it without being deluged with a pile of paperwork, and then being made to go to doctors tests and prove my inabilities again, then I'd like to at least offer something, in terms of doing my jury duty. However, if it's going to cause terrible complications, well, I'm still going to have to do it, but it'd be good to know in advance.

I'll certainly call the Jury people tomorrow and talk to them, but was hoping for some personal experiences.

I'm hoping it's not too stressful is all, although I'm guessing it's mainly a lot of waiting followed by short periods of listening to evidence. The court is only around half an hour away by train, so fortunately that's not a problem.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Keith

Torry_Quine

I'm on IB though not for depression. When I was called I contacted my GP who wrote a letter for me saying that I was not able to do jury service for health reasons. I sent this to the court and was exempted.

The thing that surprises me is that you have a date of next January. Nowadays you usually get a letter saying you are on the list for the next couple of years and asking for any dates you are unavailable and any reasons you can't serve. At some point you then get an actual date, which is about a month ahead, and again asked if there is any reason why you are unavailable. The night before you have to phone to check if you actually have to attend the court.

KPanton

Thanks for the reply! But yeah, just a guide to jury service and then 'JURY SUMMONS' at the top of a letter in big pink capitals, I guess they felt red was unsuitable Not had anything about Jury service before today.

Just tells me I must attend for jury servce on 24th Jan, and return the enclosed form in 5 days.

Like I say, I'll be happy to go, so long as I don't end up having to fill in lots of forms explaining it to the DWP, then reclaiming lost benefits thru the Jury system etc. I'm not convinced I'm suitable, due to the idea of being stuck in a room with 11 strangers for long periods, I get unsettled at the best of times in groups, especially unknown ones, but I understand it's a duty of being a ciitizen.

EchoLocation

You should be able to get it deffered without an issue.

I found Jury Service a great experience and would certainly do it again if called. Potentially you could be sat around for 2 weeks and do nothing, on the other hand, if you get on a case or two you'll spend very little time sat around. You'll only be 'stuck' in a room with 11 strangers at the end of a trial when you have to make a judgement and rarely will it not be resolved the same day. The rest of the 'sitting around' will be in the general Juror's area, which should be quite open and comfortable, you'll be free to eat and drink, chat etc.

Don't be worried about it, everyone there will be in the same position; and depending on what your depression involves, the experience may actually help you.

Torry_Quine

Just had a thought that maybe the advance notice etc is a Scottish way of working. Also we have 15 jurors in total.

KPanton

Thanks for the replies, I guess the biggest concern is if it's going to affect my IB, Housing Benefit etc, and whether doing something like this is going to be used against me in any future medical tests. I'm probably worrying too much about nothing, but you see so much vitriol in the papers about 'benefit scroungers' and I know there's a push to get as many people as they can off it, even tho, didn't it come partly from pushing people of JSA to make that number look good?

I shall give them a call and ask their advice about the money thing, whether I need to contact the DWP or whether I can just do it and claim the basics for food n travel only, without getting involved in horribly complex stuff.

vax2002

If you are ill with depression any judgements you form will be sculpted by the illness.
You can get a doctors certificate.

bestpud

Seems far more arduous than your average job to me!

You will potentially be making life changing decisions for someone!!

Pearlstar

Having done jury service and been on one case the whole time I would say do not do it if you are depressed! It is not worth the risk and anything like we had will do nothing to improve your depression I can assure you.

Pearl:starmod:

Mrs_Supersaver_1

The information I received with my 'summons' explained suffering from depression/being treated for depression was a valid exemption from jury service. Your Gp will supply you with a note/letter for court officer.
Good luck.

agrinnall

While I'm normally a strong supporter of people doing jury service, and I have posted in the past opposing people trying to come up with ways of getting out of it, in this instance I think you should give serious consideration to asking to be exempted. Jury service can be a stressful experience, and always requires your full concentration for what could be several days or even weeks. Unless you are sure you can cope with this it would be unfair on you, the rest of the jury, the defendant and the legal process as a whole for you to go ahead.