Jury duty

donnacraig1984

Hi looking for some info.I live in scotland. I have received a letter to be a potential juror. I am just wondering what sort of notice the court will give to attend once I return the letter. I have worked for my current employer for 9 years, and I am allocated my holidays and this is the first I have been given christmas off. With having 3 children I dont want to loose out at this time of year with them. Thanks Craig

bestpud

I don't think they'll hold trials over Christmas so I wouldn't worry too much.

We're in England so it may be different, but we were given at least a months notice.

Prothet_of_Doom

I've never been asked to be a Jurer, but at university, in a law module (I did engineering) we had to go and sit through a case in the public gallery of the local crown court, and it was extremely interesting. It was clear as hell that the defendant was as guilty as could be, but the defence was good and talked the main witness into spouting a pack of lies, which he then carefully disected and showed to be complete rubbish. The jury clearly thought that if 90% of it was lies then the important 10% must be too.

bluenoseam

I don't think they'll call you up that quickly, but if I remember correctly if you have valid reason you can delay any callup for personal reasons, but don't sweat it.

(there's also a chance you won't be called at all anyway - best not to over think it until you're sent another letter getting you to come in!)

fluffnutter

https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/overview

GlasweJen

I wouldn't sweat it, i got the letter and sent the form back 5 years ago and was never actually called for jury service (and I was dying to do it), this was for the high court when I lived in Edinburgh.

wiogs

I have been a juror 3 times and have just had yet another letter as I am a "potential juror"

I have also not been able to do it twice owing to holidays and work commitments.

If you have holidays booked or something important at work then just let them know.

Longest trial I have been involved in was Mon- Fri.

wiogs

fluffnutter wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/overview

This link is more relevant to Scottish Courts

http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/frequently-asked-questions/questions-about-jury-service

itsanne

I'm in Scotland. I've had that letter twice and daughter once. I was called to attend once but the other two occasions came to nothing. Put your known dates into your reply.

On the time I was called to attend I had about a month's notice, again with the opportunity to notify holiday dates though it was not guaranteed they could be avoided.

Most of us were not needed on the day, and although the call up letter said we'd have to attend on subsequent days if we were not picked for the jury (random), we were told we didn't need to.

I was actually a bit disappointed not to end up on a jury.

Edited to add there was a long gap between the initial letter and the call up, probably close to a year.

fay144

I had about 6 weeks notice, I think (Scotland). The first time, I got out of it, as I had a holiday booked. The second time, I sat in a room for an hour then was sent home.

Gillyx

I'm in Scotland, what happened to me was a letter was sent to say I'd be on a potential jurors pool for 2 years I think and any dates I'd be unavailable in that time, then I had another letter maybe 14/15 months later to say I had been chosen to go to the High Court, I think I was given 3-4 weeks notice. I was picked first time but I know some people aren't picked and are told to come back again etc and then eventually either picked or dismissed.

Hth