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…

I’ve been called twice! Once when I had a very young BF baby, so was excused. 2nd, much more recent, 2 weeks, 2 cases, a lot of sitting about, but found it very interesting.

I've been called three times!

I was called when I was 21 but it clashed with my university finals, so I was excused. 35 years have passed but I have never been called again.

I've been summoned three times in the last 20 years - most of the time was spent waiting around and in the end I was only called to sit on one short trial.

Not at all unusual, many people are never called. My husband wasn't. I was called and excused for valid reasons, a week later another letter of the same ilk but about a different court, was forwarded to me from a previous address which I marked, "Return to sender - moved", which was true. I am glad I had a valid excuse because I would hate to do it for many reasons. I'm 75 next month so doubt it will happen now, I don't know what the age limit is.

No upper age limit apparently but over 70s can ask to be excused.

My Dad, DSis and myself have all been called. DF was too ill, DSis sat on a fairly high profile rape case and I was excused because of childcare. DC was two years old and not in and form of childcare. I had no one who could have him from 7am until 7pm (it was a 1.5 hr train journey to the city where the Crown Court was), five days a week for at least a fortnight. DH worked away.

I've been called three or four times. Know about four people who've been called, some more than once.

I was called last year and did jury service, although I never had to turn up to court as wasn't needed and got officially dismissed two days later. I got called again this year 13 months later. Although I have excused myself as you don't have to do it if it's within two years. Fully expecting to get called again next year when the two years are up.

My husband and mum are both very envious as they would love to be asked and never have been. I like the idea of it, but logistically and financially it would be a total nightmare at the moment.

i've done it twice and was called a third time which i deferred due to a move. I think it was perhaps because I was in london?

My mum did it about 10 years ago and my ex boyfriend had a juicy case that went on for 6 weeks, he was allowed to opt out, but his employer were happy for him to do it.

My mum has been called and served 3 times in the last 4 years! That's a glitch somewhere...

I always wanted to do it and got the letter a few years ago BUT I couldn't do it at the time for mainly financial reasons so managed to get out of it.
Never been called again but could do it now and would jump at the chance.

I'm 53 and have been called once. I was never selected for a case despite going in for 8 days. It was one of the most boring things I have ever done!

I was called up for the second time this year. First time was 10 years prior.
I started this year quite looking forward to it but ended up in 2 quite upsetting cases. The second case we couldn't agree on a verdict, until in the end the judge said he'd accept a 10-2 verdict. We'd been pretty evenly split until then and I saw fellow jurors then vote for something they didn't believe in order not to go into a third week. Case was very upsetting to begin with and we reached an outcome I don't believe in and one I feel was made for the wrong reasons. Altogether destroyed my faith in the jury system.

I was called at 22, spent a boring day at the court waiting for something to happen, was never assigned to a trial and released that afternoon.

I think my brother has done it, but not aware of anyone else I know having done it.

My brother was called for a horrible crime - family rape and murder. But he is the only person I have ever met who has been called!

That’s right - the former exemption for solicitors, barristers and judges was removed in England & Wales 20 years ago. I am a barrister, and have done jury service once, but have also seen the courtroom from several other angles! (Not from the dock).

I found it logistically tricky and the case was very upsetting. The attitude of some of the other jurors was even more upsetting. I hope I never get called again.

I know very few people who have been called. DH was called but the dates clashed with our honeymoon so he was let off and hasn't been called again since. A friend did it and I remember her's was quite a traumatic case, it really affected her. I remember a work colleague being called years ago but she was let off due to work reasons. Can't think of anyone else I know who has been called

Called but deferred due to exams. Never recalled.

They don't "know" anything - they pick afresh each time. It's only once you're called that you can bring up exemptions. Nobody is looking at these massive datasets thinking "ah yes, Mary Smith, she was willing and able last time"!

I got the letter during the week of my 18th birthday, I was told I could defer but I did it anyway. Was called again in my 30s

I have only ever known one person who has been called, and he was called twice within about five years.

I’ve never been called. Neither have any of my immediate family. I would be in a position to do it at the moment. Not working, kids in school etc. I’d like to do it.