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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Jury Service

4 replies

User998877 · 28/04/2017 20:40

I got called to do jury service around 10 years ago (pre children). I remember thinking at least I probably wouldn't ever have to do it again.

Wrong... Jury Summons dropped through the letter box. I just can't figure out how I can do it...

DS has ASD and has never been left with anyone other than me, he won't cope with me not taking/collecting him from school.

He will have a terrible time and I just don't see why I should put him through this. Besides this I don't have anyone to do this or to come to my house at 7am because this is when I would have to leave to get to the court 30 miles away every day for up to 2 weeks!

DH (soon to be exdh) won't help because he has never been able to cope with ds (main reason we are separating) and even if he could he wouldn't take time off from his job to help me.

So given all the above am I likely to be excused, the letter said I can ask for my jury service to be deferred up to 12 months but frankly I can't see being able to do it next year either.

Has anyone been in this situation before and how did you deal with it.

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beautifulgirls · 28/04/2017 21:05

I think you can write to them and ask to be excused for the reasons you have given. You should probably send proof of his needs (maybe a DLA letter and/or diagnosis letter?) and they will then make a decision.

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User998877 · 29/04/2017 08:06

Thanks, I will write to them. Does anyone else have experience of being called and used the same reasons? What was the outcome.

I'm fretting since I did a search and one thread said that carers are not automatically excluded [shocked]

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pannetone · 29/04/2017 11:35

Do not worry - I was excused jury service earlier this year for the same reasons - my DC with ASD wouldn't cope with others doing drop offs and pick ups - even if I could find someone. Mine are secondary age too (DD in Y7) but they're not as 'flexible' (understatement!) as NT DC.

You want to ask to be excused rather than for jury service to be deferred. If you are deferring the court will want dates you will be available to serve in the next 12 months.

I didn't actually send any diagnosis evidence - I just wrote out my reasons - I thought they could get back to me if they wanted evidence.

Let me know if you want to know anything more

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User998877 · 29/04/2017 17:22

Thanks for the reassurances pannetone so pleased to hear from someone in a similar situation with a good outcome.

I've been worrying about it since the letter came, which I know is silly but doesn't stop you does it