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Original poster

Been called to jury service, stressed single parent

33 replies

MyLifeNow20 · 06/03/2021 13:27

Hi everyone.
This morning I have been called to jury service in may. I am a single parent to 3 girls aged 18, 14 and 6.
My brain is in over drive.
My work have said I may not get paid so would have to claim back from the government. This would be a big loss for me plus if I needed to pay for childcare too out of that money, think it's £32 for 4 hours l.
I am wondering if I should defer to the summer holidays and try and ask the dad to have children and then I would still get paid my holiday pay from work or if I just do it in may?
I have told my manager.

OP posts:
orangenasturtium · 06/03/2021 13:36

It's likely that you will be there for more than 4 hours per day, so the maximum payment for loss of earnings, expenses and childcare is £65.

If you can show that the costs/loss will cause financial hardship, you can defer to the summer when you will have free childcare or even ask to be excused.

Emma2021 · 06/03/2021 13:50

You don't have to go if you have a genuine excuse and IMHO you have. Tell them re child minding diffs

blue25 · 06/03/2021 13:52

Can’t your 18 yr old help out?

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peak2021 · 06/03/2021 13:53

You can ask to defer but only once. I did.

Original poster
MyLifeNow20 · 06/03/2021 14:43

I don't think I'll get excused because there's only 2 reasons from what I have read that they will excuse me.
My 18yr old would help out but she is a college and starting uni in sept.

OP posts:
Run1000km2021 · 06/03/2021 14:44

Defer! I asked to be excused the other day and they said no, but it was very easy to defer!

Dustyhedge · 06/03/2021 14:50

Would it be easier to take it now and take annual leave to reduce loss of earnings while the 6yo is in school and hopefully the 14 and 18 year olds could help out with after school? If summer would mean free/easier childcare then hopefully they’d accept deferral on that basis but you don’t sound overly sure if their dad would take them?

Original poster
MyLifeNow20 · 06/03/2021 15:20

I don't know if their dad would help.
I don't have annual holiday. I work in a preschool that has a committee so it's down to committee if they pay me or not

OP posts:
PeterPanNeverLands · 06/03/2021 15:39

My Mum got excused twice within a 6 month period because I was unwell and she was helping us out with childcare, visiting me in hospital and taking me to some appointments when I couldn't drive.

They didn't even question it.

daryldixonsdreamgirl · 06/03/2021 15:53

If you defer you won't get a choice in when you're next called up, so you can't plan for it to be in the summer holidays.

LaceyBetty · 06/03/2021 15:56

Call them up and defer. My DH did this for similar reasons.

huuuuunnnndderrricks · 06/03/2021 15:57

I got called up when ds was a baby , I called them and cried and they let me off . No idea if that is normal.

LaceyBetty · 06/03/2021 15:57

@daryldixonsdreamgirl

If you defer you won't get a choice in when you're next called up, so you can't plan for it to be in the summer holidays.
My DH was given a choice.
Original poster
MyLifeNow20 · 06/03/2021 17:36

On the form it asks for 3 other dates you can make or reasons to be excused...

OP posts:
NoToast · 06/03/2021 17:48

No medical conditions? I got dropped like a hot potato after I declared diabetes and needing to eat in court if blood sugar dropped. My feelings were very hurt, as I was really keen.

BarbaraofSeville · 06/03/2021 17:53

If they're letting you pick dates, how about asking for the school holidays if your older two are willing and able to watch the 6 YO while you serve? Plus see if you can send them to their dad's for a week, so it's only actually a week?

BackforGood · 06/03/2021 18:02

Presumably your 6 yr old will be back at school ?
When I did jury service they weren't late finishes, can't your 16 and 18 yr olds between them manage the possible hour it will be on the days you get back after pick up time ?
Whereas we were told we might be there until 4, we rarely were.

Rememberallball · 06/03/2021 18:07

When I did jury service you could claim childcare and travel expenses on top of the daily ‘allowance’; you also received a meal allowance if you were at the court for more than 4 hours a day. I wasn’t paid by my employers as I was on a zero hours contract so they signed the form to say what I would lose based on average pay and the money I got from the courts worked out to be the same as I would have been paid for that 2 weeks

GarlicBreadItsTheFuture · 06/03/2021 18:16

I deferred and when I called I asked for August - they were happy to put me on the August list. Just ask.

jollygreenpea · 06/03/2021 18:25

Why have I never been asked or siblings? I'm willing and able to do it.

Original poster
MyLifeNow20 · 06/03/2021 20:49

If I asked to be excused (which I'm sure they won't allow) would I still be able to defer to summer holidays?

OP posts:
nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 06/03/2021 20:55

Can your 14 year old not help out? I could have collected a younger sibling from school and taken them home at that age. Actually thinking about it, I babysat for money that age, perhaps she could be bribed?

BunnyRuddington · 06/03/2021 21:00

I've had two friends called up within the last 18 months and neither one actually had to sit on a case. You might be lucky and still be able to work.

Hoppinggreen · 06/03/2021 21:00

Have you acknowledged the letter yet?
If not then don’t , they only chase people who contact them on receiving the letter
Letters not sent recorded delivery may not arrive

Original poster
MyLifeNow20 · 06/03/2021 21:03

No I haven't acknowledged the letter, it says if you don't reply within 7 days you will get fined or something...

OP posts: