Called on for jury service

Chloe_G

I've been called for jury service three times and it was really interesting.

Flugelhorn

penners324 said:

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

Part of the problem may be that he works for a US company. Certainly many in the UK will pay people of they are on jury service, though probably only the larger companies and they would expect people to claim the daily allowance too

XzavierWalnut

fatbelly said:

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.

Same here. I would love to be called up, especially for an interesting long running case.

DullGreyGuy

Dannydee333 said:

 I mean, who's the criminal here?

Thats literally what you are going to be there to determine. 

It's a civic duty, and you may one day be dependent on others doing their duty if you find yourself wrongly accused of something. It's a fundamental right in criminal law, other than a tiny number of crime, that your guilt is judged by a jury of your peers not by just the police or the Eton/Oxford educated judge etc. That right comes with the cost of having to be available to act as the jury for your peers. 

There is a lot of waiting around, a colleague took his laptop and worked whilst in the assembly room. You cannot bring electronic devices into the deliberation room though but lockers are provided... if you arent willing to leave it in the locker dont take it. 

Cases can be interesting or boring. Days long and tiring or very short. The one I served on the case itself was fairly straightforward and few of the facts were in contention but it was interesting in the deliberation room how others had heard exactly what I had but come to a different conclusion. This is exactly the point of the jury, so people of different walks of life and experiences are the ones to judge your guilt. We returned a guilty judgement. 

penners324 said:

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

You know that things like statutory sick pay is paid by employers and not the government right? Small companies used to be able to reclaim it but that stopped other than during the covid. Even the 39 weeks of statutory maternity pay is a shared cost. 

Given the duration of jury duty is much closer to sickness than maternity leave any governmental requirement for employers to pay would almost certainly be out of the employers pocket not the governments.

Smithcom

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?

This has got to be a wind up.   Are you actually serious?

A (criminal) court is where trials are heard and a jury is selected in order to decide if a defendant is guilty or not guilty.

It's a fairly unique and interesting idea that you have, that law-abiding citizens should be exempt.   It's probably not the best idea that criminal trials are decided by a criminal-jury, but, hey, it's an idea!!!

As has been mentioned, in the UK, you don't volunteer for jury duty.   It's done by random selection.   Did you seriously not know that?    Hopefully, your employer can pay you whilst you undertake your civic duty.  If not, I believe that the court will pay up to a certain amount.

You may want to seek advice from a trusted friend or family member, because you seem a little overwhelmed.    I believe that you can also contact the court to discuss any concerns that you have. 

I hope that it all goes well

SC

Torry_Quine

I've been called more times than I can count, certainly need both hands! Here you phone the evening before to know if you're needed. 
It's a cornerstone of our judicial system and not to be taken lightly. 

powerful_Rogue

No free man shall be seized, imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, exiled or ruined in any way, nor in any way proceeded against, except by the lawful judgement of his peers and the law of the land.

superbigal

The main problem i find is I have been called numerous times.  Every single time in the end not required.  A slightly more thought out way of wasting as little time as possible has to be there somewhere.
One occasion I was called for a particular week in a particular court.  
Looked up the Court in questions program to find there was not a single case scheduled that would require a Jury.
End up on the morning in question phoning up to be told be an automated service not required (As expected).
That is just bizarre,

WinterWeather

I was called for Jury service 8 years ago and it caused me so much aggravation and costs which were not refunded to me. I had a big dog that couldn’t be left home-alone so I was told to book it into kennels when I phoned the court. I did, at a cost of £147 for 7 days. I lived rural and half an hour car journey away from the court - when all this had been booked and paid for (circa £200 including a train ticket for the first day) they phoned and told me the case had been cancelled! When I asked about my dog kennel fee etc. they said I wouldn’t be reimbursed as I hadn’t been a juror because the case had been cancelled. I will never do it again. Cost me all that money and being messed about and then they phoned to tell me not to attend. Never again, regardless of they call me. Nope.

Emmia

WinterWeather said:

I was called for Jury service 8 years ago and it caused me so much aggravation and costs which were not refunded to me. I had a big dog that couldn’t be left home-alone so I was told to book it into kennels when I phoned the court. I did, at a cost of £147 for 7 days. I lived rural and half an hour car journey away from the court - when all this had been booked and paid for (circa £200 including a train ticket for the first day) they phoned and told me the case had been cancelled! When I asked about my dog kennel fee etc. they said I wouldn’t be reimbursed as I hadn’t been a juror because the case had been cancelled. I will never do it again. Cost me all that money and being messed about and then they phoned to tell me not to attend. Never again, regardless of they call me. Nope.

So no worries on a fine of up to £1000 and a criminal record for refusal then?