Jury Service - Excusal on Grounds of Financial Hardship

debtslave2024

I have been summoned for jury service for the third time. I am currently in a state of genuine financial hardship, and wrote a letter to seek an excusal/deferral on this basis - they rejected it. They want evidence of “financial hardship.” 

Any ideas what they actually want to prove “financial hardship,” for example, all my bank statements, and credit card arrears?

They also do not even define what financial hardship is in their response.

Thanks.

MattMattMattUK

debtslave2024 said:

I have been summoned for jury service for the third time. I am currently in a state of genuine financial hardship, and wrote a letter to seek an excusal/deferral on this basis - they rejected it. They want evidence of “financial hardship.” 

Did you complete jury the first two times or defer?

debtslave2024 said:

Any ideas what they actually want to prove “financial hardship,” for example, all my bank statements, and credit card arrears?

I would send them those, together with a cover letter explaining your position. However...

debtslave2024 said:

They also do not even define what financial hardship is in their response.

Thanks.

There is no specifics because it is not an outlined reason, it could potentially fall under "exceptional circumstances", but that would depend on the view of the court and they have a right to refuse to grant you a deferment or excusal. 

You can claim certain allowances whilst completing jury service, though they are not exactly generous. 
https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/what-you-can-claim-if-youre-not-working

maman

I'd think it may be worth pointing out the difference between what you'd earn and the allowances. 

tacpot12

Financial hardship is usually defined as having less than £50 of spare money after essentials such as rent, water, energy, council tax, food and debts are paid. 

The usual way of showing this is by providing a statement of affairs that lists your income and outgoings.

debtslave2024

@MattMattMattUK, and also the others who have replied - thanks.I have already done jury duty twice as a juror. I will not be sending them all my bank statements, and debt letters to examine, as I regard that as “private and confidential.” I will need to go and think about things!

MattMattMattUK

debtslave2024 said:

@ MattMattMattUK, and also the others who have replied - thanks.I have already done jury duty twice as a juror.

That is really unusual, most people never get called so I can understand your frustration. 

debtslave2024 said:

I will not be sending them all my bank statements, and debt letters to examine, as I regard that as “private and confidential.” I will need to go and think about things!

It will be a court deputy who would look at them, they would be fully confidential, personally I would not be bothered in the slightest with them seeing them.

debtslave2024

I would have walked to court today to “plead” with them, but it has been a very rough day here indeed, with hurricane force winds. I got a knock on the door whilst lying in bed, to inform me that a 30 foot section of our shared roof had crashed into the street!

Once the storm is over, I will walk to the court, and try to reason with them.

Savvy_Sue

debtslave2024 said:

I would have walked to court today to “plead” with them, but it has been a very rough day here indeed, with hurricane force winds. I got a knock on the door whilst lying in bed, to inform me that a 30 foot section of our shared roof had crashed into the street!

Once the storm is over, I will walk to the court, and try to reason with them.

Oh dear, it's all happening, isn't it?

I think you will need to show some proof of your financial situation if you want to use that as a reason not to serve. If you're employed, you'd also need confirmation that your employer wouldn't pay you while on jury duty. If self-employed, evidence of your earnings from that source. 

tacpot12 said:

Financial hardship is usually defined as having less than £50 of spare money after essentials such as rent, water, energy, council tax, food and debts are paid. 

The usual way of showing this is by providing a statement of affairs that lists your income and outgoings.

And I'd do it as a statement, and not a sheaf of bank statements, debt letters etc.