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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to refuse to do Jury Service?

184 replies

Messyisthenewtidy · 17/05/2019 21:49

I've just received a summons and I'm freaking out. My employer pays up to 2 weeks but beyond that the expenses that you can claim are a pittance and I'll be in serious financial difficulties.

I'm a single mum so obviously the only earner. Can I reasonably refuse? Will they let me? What happens if it goes on for ages and I lose my job?

Please advise me! Has anyone managed to get out of it on the grounds of being the only wage earner?

OP posts:
Original poster
Messyisthenewtidy · 17/05/2019 22:13

I remember they said to us that if it was a longer trial they would excuse people who couldn’t do it. You will be fine.

That is sounding good! Thanks.

You lot are great. As soon as I read the summons and was all Shock
DS said straight away "Just ask Mumsnet. They'll know what to do!" Grin

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 17/05/2019 22:15

I'm exempt now as I deferred when I was about to start a course and then was called up a year later and was just about to start a new job.

Original poster
Messyisthenewtidy · 17/05/2019 22:16

When I was on the jury for a long case about 40 people were called initially and asked if they could commit to 4+ weeks. Most could not for various reasons and were excused from that case

YY CoronaPop that's making me feel a lot better because the first two weeks I get paid, no problem. So if I don't have to do anything beyond two weeks then I'm good.

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 17/05/2019 22:16

Personally I just think answer all questions at the beginning with yes as a pp suggested.

RippleEffects · 17/05/2019 22:16

I deffered as a single parent, no childcare provision would take my Autistic DS1. I think they said I could only deffer once and would have to attend if selected again.

ScrimshawTheSecond · 17/05/2019 22:18

Years back I did jury duty (at least, I showed up for a lot of faffing about, the case was dismissed before coming to court). Afterwards claimed travel expenses and missed earnings, and was told if it was going to be difficult I should have got in touch, I would have been excused.
Maybe if you're in England/depending on the court it's different, but I'd get in touch and ask.

Wolfiefan · 17/05/2019 22:19

You can only defer once. So if you do then you’re stuck next time.
I did it and it was a massive childcare headache but I wasn’t even there for the full two weeks.

happyhillock · 17/05/2019 22:19

I had to get a letter from my doctor as i was on anti deppressant's at the time i was called

welshgirlcharlotte · 17/05/2019 22:20

My own experience of jury service were that the clerks of the court were very accommodating- they numbest those who didn't want be there, and did their best to ensure they were dismissed as quickly as possible! I dreaded it, but met some really nice people

Popfan · 17/05/2019 22:23

It was a while ago - 20 years - but I phoned them up and said I couldn't do it because I had just got a new job as a teacher and I couldn't let the school down. There was no issue at all. Talk to them with your reasons and see what they say.

Dandelion1993 · 17/05/2019 22:26

My DH is self employed and jusy done it.

You can defer once! After that, you just have to do it.

Luckducky · 17/05/2019 22:33

Hi, I am a single parent too, as well as being self employed. I was called up for jury service a few years ago when my son was 6 years old. I wrote a letter outlining all the reasons why it wasn’t possible to do jury service, such as losing out on earnings and no flexible childcare options etc, and I was excused. I would suggest writing all the reasons why doing jury service at the present time would have a negative impact on your life and I’m sure they would be empathetic.

LoafofSellotape · 17/05/2019 22:38

You can defer once! After that, you just have to do it

No, you don't as my earlier post said.

Merryoldgoat · 17/05/2019 22:39

I was called and really disappointed not to be able to do it. I had a 2yo and was working 3 days so just couldn’t get the childcare covered.

I wrote a very simple letter and they excused me. Now I have older children I hope I get called again!

PurpleCrazyHorse · 17/05/2019 22:41

DH deferred as he'd just gone self-employed. He was called to Southwark Crown Court which handles loads of huge cases. When he got called up again, maybe a year later, he was only called to our local magistrates court. He just did lots of little cases and was only there two weeks.

DH says... take a book!

Cupcakes12 · 17/05/2019 22:42

Hi
I recently got excused due to child care issues. So you can be excused if you have a valid reason

KnittingForMittens · 17/05/2019 22:42

You can claim for loss of earnings from the court if your employer does not pay you.

IHeartArya · 17/05/2019 22:43

I did it at the end of last year. We had to commit to 10 days. We were dismissed after 7/8 days following a complex case. Must had to claim loss of earnings. There were lots of people who were working while hanging around waiting to be called.

Hadenoughofitall441 · 17/05/2019 22:45

I’ve never been summoned, but if I do I want it to be for a good case, so it’s worth the hassle.

OldAndWornOut · 17/05/2019 22:46

When I did jury service we filled out a form stating our earnings, and we were paid the same amount.
One man was paid his earnings plus overtime because he always did overtime at work.

FrancisCrawford · 17/05/2019 22:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OldAndWornOut · 17/05/2019 22:47

Meant to say, the case went on for over three months.

Missingstreetlife · 17/05/2019 22:50

Read the paperwork. God help anyone you have to pass judgement on.
There may be childcare expenses.

myhamster · 17/05/2019 22:50

My mum was called, she did the first week but was excused from the second as they had to deal with a paedophile case, and the judge said the jury had done enough.

My friend was called for two weeks, she didn’t do the first as there were no cases but had to do the second week.

I’m a self employed single parent so would have to defer it.

Wannabeyorkshirelass · 17/05/2019 22:53

I went and did a 2 day case, then I got called as a potential juror for a 6 week case and I told them I couldn't do over the two weeks (I had to say why and prove it). They let me off and then excused me from the rest of my jury duty altogether!

Don't defer it or your two weeks could end up being over Christmas or holidays or something and you can't defer twice.