Called on for jury service

Dannydee333

Hey,

I've been "summoned" for jury service at the end of the month and would like to know some logistical info if anyone else has done it before.

First and foremost, I'd rather not do it. I think it kinda stinks that as a law-abiding citizen, you get a letter in the post ordering you to take part in this OR face a fine... I mean, who's the criminal here?

Anyway, I believe my situation may be a little more complex than most. I work for a US company, so my job is fully remote and quite flexible. What this means is I can attend the court and do my work when I get home. Not ideal, but I think I can manage it.

Am I right in thinking you don't get paid for jury service except for the measly £5 lunch and 31p per mile? Unless, of course, your employer isn't going to pay you. In my case, this doesn't have to happen because, like I said, I could do my work when I get home. I'm luckier than most in that regard, but again, I think this system absolutely stinks for people out there who have jobs with static hours. You're expected just to uproot your routine to suit the court?

On the one hand, it's something that I would probably find interesting. On the other hand, I don't appreciate the insinuation that you "have to" do this or they'll make a criminal out of you. I'd prefer to be at the gym in the mornings instead.

Has anyone done it? How do you ensure you are at least adequately compensated for being forced to comply with such a hindrance? Are you paid for your time even if you're able to work later that same day/s?

swingaloo

I did it. Its no use complaining that it is a hinderance because its a legal obligation., if everyone said no then what would happen. Most people doing it would probably prefer to be elsewhere but people have to be chosen at random and they cant continually call the same people. 

You are usually called for 2 weeks but if its longer you get a higher rate for the extra days.
You do need your employer to give the court proof that you are not being paid. Its optional for an employer to pay you and you do need to prove your losses. If they dont pay you then you get compensated but nowhere near your actual wage.
If you can do your work later in the day then no, you are not paid for your time.

I quite enjoyed the 2nd week because we got an interesting case but the first week was nothing but waiting about to see if you are needed. If you are picked then you may find that you are asked to leave again because the defence dont want you so there is an awful lot of sitting about. Even if you are selected for a jury it can be incredibly boring because there is so much time given to the legal arguments that you have to sit through before the case actually starts. 

If not needed by lunchtime we were told we could leave for the day. You can claim around £65 a day for loss of earnings and its about £6 for food and drink, plus you get travel expenses but its not a fortune.

I only did 2 weeks but on the last day I was selected again but then knocked back by the defence which turned out to be a good thing because that trial ran for 7 weeks. If you get a long case like that then I think they make sure you are never called for jury service again.

TELLIT01

Are you really going to be able to do a full day's work for your employer after potentially being in court all day for several days?

paradigital

I’ve been called up before.  Arranged with employer that I’d be doing jury duty, arranged transport to and from the courts.  Arrived on day one, waited around for about two hours and about 5 of us were told we wouldn’t be required and that we didn’t need to come back.

Hopefully that means I won’t be called up for a while.

Emmia

Dannydee333 said:

Hey,

I've been "summoned" for jury service at the end of the month and would like to know some logistical info if anyone else has done it before.

First and foremost, I'd rather not do it. I think it kinda stinks that as a law-abiding citizen, you get a letter in the post ordering you to take part in this OR face a fine... I mean, who's the criminal here?

Anyway, I believe my situation may be a little more complex than most. I work for a US company, so my job is fully remote and quite flexible. What this means is I can attend the court and do my work when I get home. Not ideal, but I think I can manage it.

Am I right in thinking you don't get paid for jury service except for the measly £5 lunch and 31p per mile? Unless, of course, your employer isn't going to pay you. In my case, this doesn't have to happen because, like I said, I could do my work when I get home. I'm luckier than most in that regard, but again, I think this system absolutely stinks for people out there who have jobs with static hours. You're expected just to uproot your routine to suit the court?

On the one hand, it's something that I would probably find interesting. On the other hand, I don't appreciate the insinuation that you "have to" do this or they'll make a criminal out of you. I'd prefer to be at the gym in the mornings instead.

Has anyone done it? How do you ensure you are at least adequately compensated for being forced to comply with such a hindrance? Are you paid for your time even if you're able to work later that same day/s?

The premise of a jury made up of your fellow citizens is a fundamental part of the justice system. That means that people need to be called upon to serve.

I've never been asked, but I see it quite differently to you, I would happily volunteer, but there's no route for that. I don't see it as a hindrance, it is a duty that comes because you're a citizen.

Cressida100

I did jury service for 2 weeks. I enjoyed it and was on the jury for 2 short cases. I was also chosen for a case that was likely to be a long one but declined due to work being really busy. Employer paid salary as usual and I claimed mileage. Glad I declined the third one as it turned out to be quite harrowing and also used interpreters. 

Mokkadoodledo

I don’t know what the odds are of this, but I have been called for jury service 4 times! (the first time I had just turned 18).

Depending on the cases, it can be quite interesting. (I would take something to read/do in the waiting room as there can be a lot of sitting around). For example, they sometimes send the jury out of the court so they can discuss a point of law etc.

I’m not sure if you can be exempted from jury service again after serving on a long case—it may depend on the judge. When I was called for the third time, at the start of my second week I was selected for a trial expected to last three weeks, but which ended up running for seven. (It overran for a number of reasons).  After it was finally over, a fellow juror complained to one of the ushers about the length of time, who raised it with the judge. The judge then issued a letter exempting us all from jury duty for ten years. This letter proved useful when I was called for the fourth time (at age 51) during the pandemic when the courts had started opening up again - I was shielding for my partner so that time I was glad to be excused. 

fatbelly

I've never been called for jury service but have always wanted to do it.

A friend of mine was called up for the first time in her life - in her 70s. She said she found it difficult because she had been retired 15 years and had got out of the Monday to Friday 9-5 habit.

El_Torro

In my experience doing jury service (I did it last year) there is a lot of waiting around. This could be an opportunity to take your laptop with you and catch up on work.

My case was a bit unusual because I spent a couple of days waiting to be put on a trial, then when I finally got on one the case was dismissed the day after. The jurors weren't told why. Then at the end of the week we were all told to not come back the following work because there was a fresh intake of jurors that coming Monday. 

I guess I got lucky. I think it would have been an interesting experience to get on one trial at least, though I don't think I would have fancied getting on a trial which lasted a couple of months.


In the case that you do get on a long trial I don't think it's realistic to expect to work full time as well, even if it's in the evenings. Do you know for sure that your employer won't pay you? Or are you making an assumption?

HampshireH

If on a case and actively been listening for most the day for several days there is surely no way you could put 100% into them doing a full shift at work 

Active listening is tiring

penners324

Needs a change in the law. Employers should pay you and be able to reclaim from the government.