Jury Summons

bwals92

I received a jury summons at my old address over a month and a half ago. My old neighbor rudely opened it before giving it to me. I collected it and replied as attending almost straight away (I thought I had no choice seeing as though the letter date had already reached the reply deadline). In the reply, I stated my change of address.

I hadn't received any sort of letter of confirmation. I decided to ring the jury central summoning bureau today. They had said 'nobody had changed my address' and that a confirmation letter would be sent to my new address within 7 days. Dangerously close to my summoning date!

After feeling forced into jury service I feel that they've handled my data carelessly. Upon closer inspection I also realised that I would have been on the electoral register twice during the selection. I queried this and the lady said 'I don't think you would have had any more chance of being selected because of this'. If I do the math, being on the electoral register twice (at two addresses) increases my chances of being selected by 2. Am I right? Isn't that an unfair selection?

I feel that my wages will be impacted quite drastically because of doing this. I don't believe I will have enough money for the travelling etc and smart clothes to attend, especially when my workplace doesn't have to pay me and I have to claim my expenses back after the presumed summoning period -which would be much later than my workplace would pay me. This is dangerously close to Christmas too.

Can I argue my case for a fair electoral selection? It's not that I wouldn't like to do it, I just don't have the finances for it!

Uncertain

bwals92 wrote: »

Can I argue my case for a fair electoral selection? It's not that I wouldn't like to do it, I just don't have the finances for it!

I very much doubt it. They can actually go outside the court and summons somebody on the spot if they have to!

You can ask for a postponement but you may well not get it.

You don't need special clothes, your normal everyday ones will be fine. In the incredibly unlikely event you were challenged about that you just explain it is all you have got.

You claim loss of earnings and travelling expenses from the court within the prescribed limits. Ultimately you have no choice.

bwals92

Uncertain wrote: »

You claim loss of earnings and travelling expenses from the court within the prescribed limits. Ultimately you have no choice.

That's interesting. So how would I go about traveling to a location that would cost me money that I simply don't have available at that moment in time? Do they expect me to take a wonga loan out payable on the return of my loss of earnings?

Uncertain

bwals92 wrote: »

That's interesting. So how would I go about traveling to a location that would cost me money that I simply don't have available at that moment in time? Do they expect me to take a wonga loan out payable on the return of my loss of earnings?

I can only suggest your ask the jury office that question. I can't imagine it is a unique situation. What sort of distance / cost are we talking about and how does that compare with getting to work?

SailorSam

I did Jury duty last year and nobody seemed to have got dressed up special to go, there were lots wearing jeans, including me. Not the ones i wear to dig the garden in but so long as you're clean and tidy. It's not you on trial.

bwals92

Uncertain wrote: »

I can only suggest your ask the jury office that question. I can't imagine it is a unique situation. What sort of distance / cost are we talking about and how does that compare with getting to work?

I usually walk to work as I live so close. Travelling would be an additional expense of around £23.75 (2 week bus pass). As I'd need to pay for food too, I guess that would increase the amount as I'd usually walk home from work for my lunch.

I'm on a very tight budget, especially so close to Christmas and on a minimum wage job.

miduck

Whilst being on the electoral roll twice may have increased the chance of being selected, the increase in likelihood would be so marginal you have no basis for complaint. For instance, if there are 30 million that are eligible for JS (I don't know how many there are in reality), your chances increased from 1 in 30 million to 2 in 30 million.

bluenoseam

I think you're looking for a way to get out of it by bringing up every possible problem!

Look at it like this, you have a duty as a member of society to take part in the justice system when your presence is requested, it's not much, it doesn't cost you anything (as the court pays back lost wages & expenses) and ultimately shouldn't be seen as a bad thing. Even with the letter it's also no guarantee that you'll be called - you call the number up the night before and it'll say "numbers X-Y are required, numbers A-B are excused" - if you're in A-B you're laughing! (as happened to me, I was gutted because I kinda thought it would be cool)

There's also the fact that you won't need a 2 week bus pass - it tells you you MAY be required for UP TO 2 weeks, but that's rarely the case unless you happen to be hit with a "premium" case. (i.e. assault, rape, murder and the likes)

In summation, it's not the end of the world, make a small, temporary sacrifice which will be paid back in full by the court & you'll also have a life experience.

Uncertain

bwals92 wrote: »

I usually walk to work as I live so close. Travelling would be an additional expense of around £23.75 (2 week bus pass). As I'd need to pay for food too, I guess that would increase the amount as I'd usually walk home from work for my lunch.

I'm on a very tight budget, especially so close to Christmas and on a minimum wage job.

Well you can take a packed lunch so that will cost exactly the same as at home!

Ask how often you can get your bus fare back. Presumably even if a daily ticket costs double we are only taking about a fiver a day?

There is a fair chance you won't have to go every day, it depends on the case load. Normally you have to call a number they give you the day before to see if you are needed.

GlynD

You won't get out of jury service unless you can prove sickness throughout the period of your jury panel sitting. As someone else has pointed out the sitting judge might just issue bench warrants and that will bring the police to your door (or work) to arrest you and bring you to court to possibly face a charge of contempt.

You will be given a form to reclaim lost wages, travel expenses and subsistence allowance, and from memory they're fairly prompt about paying them out. Bite the bullet and do your civic duty.

bwals92

bluenoseam wrote: »

I think you're looking for a way to get out of it by bringing up every possible problem!

Look at it like this, you have a duty as a member of society to take part in the justice system when your presence is requested, it's not much, it doesn't cost you anything (as the court pays back lost wages & expenses) and ultimately shouldn't be seen as a bad thing. Even with the letter it's also no guarantee that you'll be called - you call the number up the night before and it'll say "numbers X-Y are required, numbers A-B are excused" - if you're in A-B you're laughing! (as happened to me, I was gutted because I kinda thought it would be cool)

There's also the fact that you won't need a 2 week bus pass - it tells you you MAY be required for UP TO 2 weeks, but that's rarely the case unless you happen to be hit with a "premium" case. (i.e. assault, rape, murder and the likes)

In summation, it's not the end of the world, make a small, temporary sacrifice which will be paid back in full by the court & you'll also have a life experience.

Thanks for that. In truth, yeah I was looking for a way to get out of it because of my finances. If I'm not called will I get paid by the court for that day? And how does it go for weekends, should I be returning to work?