Jury Service - never called?

[Idontevenknowmyname]

Random chat with some friends last night, and none of us had ever been called for jury service. All late 40s, have been on the electoral roll since 18, lived in the UK all our lives. I mentioned it to DF on the phone this morning and he’s never been called either, he’s 78, always been registered to vote. He said he didn’t think my brother or his wife had ever been called either. DM been called once but was dismissed after a few hours of waiting on day one, and never needed to go back in. DH was called once when he was a student living away but registered to vote at his family address, they deferred him but he was never contacted after that.

Is this unusual? I read about people being called repeatedly and it being a major disruption with work/kids/traumatic cases. I like to think I would be a good juror and would do my best in the role, but it seems so random as to if you get picked.

Disclaimer: will probably get a letter tomorrow now…

The only person in my immediate family who has is my husband. None of our parents or siblings have, and I haven't. I'd love to though.

I’m 55 and never been called. The only person I know who has is my dad and that was 40 years ago - it clashed with a holiday he’d already booked and they let him off!

I only know 2 people who've been called. An ex colleague and my dh who has been called twice. He has done it twice within 3 years which seems quite unusual.

I was first called aged 19. Second time was when I was 33.

Loved it both times.

I’ve never been called and it’s a source of annoyance to me. I’d love to do it.

In our 60s, both been called twice, second time for me I had no cases to do.

My DM was called about 20 years ago. It was a child sexual abuse case. She hated every minute of it. Not only the content of the case but also that the Crown Court is 20 miles away, parking and the traffic into town was a PITA, so in addition to having the stress of listening to the case she had the stress of getting there and back again.

My exH was called, before I met him, 30 years ago. It was a gangland murder. All very dramatic. The family of the accused threatened the jurors after the verdict so he was followed around by police officers for a short time

No-one else I know more recently.

Not unusual. I've never been called and no none I know has ever mentioned carrying out jury duty.

I only know two people who've been called. My friend in her early 50s and DH approx two years ago at age 57 - annoyingly they cancelled him the day before and he'd cancelled all work appointments for two weeks (six appointments a day).

I this this is where google is listening to us. I said this not so long ago and literally a few days later received a call up...

Ive been called twice and they were extremely kind when I explained I didn’t want to do it (I’m autistic and it would have made me too stressed) you hear stories about how strict they are but they couldn’t have been nicer about it

Presumably it depends where you live and less likely to be called in rural areas? When we lived in a big city I was called twice. DH once but a long case so excused from serving again. I met someone who was on her 4th jury service!

Got called once at 19 or 20 years old. They refused to let me do it as I asked for a sign language interpreter. Oh well.

I've never been called and neither has my DH, but I know a few friends who have.

I've never been called and I'm 52, OH is 55 and never called. I'm pretty sure my brother has been.

My mum and dad are 81 and 86 and have never been called. My dad has been to court many times as an expert witness though.

My manager has done it but she’s the only person I know who has.

My father has done it and it was a bit pointless (from his point of view) as they pleaded guilty on the first day

My brother was called up and couldn't do it as he was going on holiday-my mother sorted it out for him (he can't wipe his own arse without her help)

I'd love to do it but never been called up

It seems to be quite common among my colleagues (I have three out on JS right now), but we work for the government so wonder if they work the list that way. I was called in 2022

I'd done it twice by my late 40s. No one else in my immediate family has ever been called up, although I know a few people who have, colleagues etc. On my second one it turned out that more than half of us were doing it for the second time. I've found it extremely interesting, logistically fairly straightforward (travel was fine, the days are shorter than standard work days, childcare was a bit of a pain). Didn't end up hanging around for hours and fellow jurors were pleasant enough, in fact on the first one which lasted 2.5 weeks we all got on very well and were sad to say our goodbyes at the end.

I don't think you're unusual. I'm 52, none of my or DHs direct family have ever been called (2 x sets parents, 3 siblings) so far. In 30-odd years at work, I can only recall maybe 3 or 4 people I knew to be called, and I'm being generous in that number. 🤷‍♀️

The only member of our family to have been called is my MIL, who's done it twice in the last 15 years.

My parents are both late 70s and never been called. I would love to do it, although hopefully nothing gory.

I’d not considered the rural thing, that could have an effect as we have always lived in the middle of nowhere!

I would be happy to do it, and am in a position that kids/work would be ok, but agree that some cases must be beyond awful and it must be very difficult to see and hear those things. So I am not going to hope to be called!

Do they just write to you at home? Our post is so erratic that it’s possible I have been called and would never know!

I’ve never been called either. My brother in law has been called twice…

I was exempt as I worked as a social worker and there was a strong possibility that the person in the dock might be a client of mine!

I’ve been called once but couldn’t do it as I’d just moved house (about 100 miles) and was called in the old area. I’d love to do it and am really annoyed I’ve not been called again.