Jury service for wife - I'd lose income due to childcare

[Deleted User]

Wife has been called up for Jury service.

Problem is we've got a school age child and a baby. Wife is currently on maternity leave but going back to work one day a week (we've got childcare/family arranged for that).

I run my own business. Basically, if I'm at client site I get paid, if I'm not I don't.

The problem is that if wife is forced to do jury service monday-friday theres no way we could get childcare to cover school runs and look after the baby. Basically, I'd have to stay home.

Which would mean a loss of £1000s and big problems for the business.

Any idea if we can do anything?

What do self-employed people like plumbers do? I see max you claim for loss of earnings is £32/day. Great, eh?

Of course, in our case, it'd be zero because I'm not the one on jury duty.

SailorSam

Paul your wife can ask to be excused and they often say ok for this time but when her name comes out of the hat next time she may not be so lucky and be told she's got to go.
I know people have asked if they had already planned a holiday and booked it.

PlutoinCapricorn

"Who else might be excused?
Anyone who feels they have special circumstances such as women having severe morning sickness, expecting a baby imminently, a very new mum or one who is breastfeeding a small baby.
Someone with very young children they are looking after and perhaps very elderly relatives and other onerous caring duties, or whose job would be severely affected and/or whose livelihood long-term could be jeopardised – such as the running of a small business – or someone who is ill. These people should make their circumstances known.
Cases will be considered on their individual merits but good reasons will be considered."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/10273024/What-are-your-options-if-summoned-to-jury-duty.html

The paperwork they send you should explain how to apply for deferment.

Norman_Castle

Contact the court and explain your situation.
Self employed over 4 hours is £64.

kathrynha

I deferred when my daughter was 3 due to child care, and on the bit that asked when I would be available I put that I wouldn't be available till 2022 (when she is 16) and they were happy with deferring and I haven't heard back since.

DKLS

This is the main reason why I will never do Jury service I dont see why I should be massively out of pocket, I have managed to get out of it twice now thanks to a letter from the MD stating he couldnt possibly spare me.

[Deleted User]

SailorSam wrote: »

Paul your wife can ask to be excused and they often say ok for this time but when her name comes out of the hat next time she may not be so lucky and be told she's got to go.
I know people have asked if they had already planned a holiday and booked it.

Problem is it'll just defer the problem until next time.

All well and good if you're an employee who can insist their employer lets them go but it doesnt seem to work so well for self-employed/mums.

Dave101t

just say your racist against all minorities and prejudiced against all locals, they cant accept you then....

[Deleted User]

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Contact the court and explain your situation.
Self employed over 4 hours is £64.

But its me who is self-employed not the wife. She wouldnt lose any income because shes on maternity. Can't see them paying me.

Also, £64. What planet are they on where a self-employed person earns that much. In my business, I've got costs etc and absolute bottom rate minimum is about 3x that.

Also, how comes HMRC recommend 45p a mile for car expenses but they get to pay 31p. Doesnt make sense.

[Deleted User]

kathrynha wrote: »

I deferred when my daughter was 3 due to child care, and on the bit that asked when I would be available I put that I wouldn't be available till 2022 (when she is 16) and they were happy with deferring and I haven't heard back since.

Ah. I thought you could only defer for now and they'd ask you back within the next 12 months?

DKLS

[quote=[Deleted User];64804271]Also, £64. What planet are they on where a self-employed person earns that much. In my business, I've got costs etc and absolute bottom rate minimum is about 3x that.
[/QUOTE]

Exactly I recently hired an app coder on £500 a day, I dont think she would want to be swapping for £64 a day. Its all very well "doing your duty" but you shouldnt have to suffer financially to do so.