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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anyone has been excused from Jury Duty.....

53 replies

RolyWatts · 18/06/2019 22:10

because they have no child care. Been asked to attend during the school holidays and I have no one else to watch my children. I looked at the exemptions sheet and it doesn't mention childcare. Just wondering if anyone else had encountered this and what you did?

OP posts:
BackforGood · 18/06/2019 22:33

I've just finished Jury duty.
The expectation is you find childcare.

Alyx80 · 18/06/2019 22:34

Yes I wrote that I had no childcare and a small breastfed baby and was excused so it’s a possibility you can be.

Pinkprincess1978 · 18/06/2019 22:35

Yes a friend did as she had no options for before and after school - not even paying for it.

Iamnotagoddess · 18/06/2019 22:36

I was excused for this reason, and breast feeding.

Never asked again Sad

LizziesTwin · 18/06/2019 22:37

I was excused for the same reason.

tootiredtomakeoneup · 18/06/2019 22:38

I have been excused twice from jury duty due to having no childcare for my two young children. Apply for excusal as soon as possible.

ShivD · 18/06/2019 22:38

My husband as delayed his twice because of busy periods at work, no bother at all.

eggsandwich · 18/06/2019 22:39

Many years ago when my two children were very young I got called for jury service.

Unfortunately my eldest has special needs and there wasn’t anyone that could or would look after him, I therefore explained the situation and I didn’t have to do it.

ShivD · 18/06/2019 22:39

So I think childcare would be a valid reason, they will just call you up again soon, hopefully when school is back,

Original poster
RolyWatts · 18/06/2019 22:41

Back for Good - where might I find childcare? I have no family or friends who would be able to watch my children for a week, let alone for as long as a court case takes to complete. All paid child care providers in my area are already booked to capacity because of the summer holidays and I can't afford "holiday clubs" as the court won't reimburse for these ( well they do but at a max rate of £1 per hour!). I have a self-employed husband who won't be reimbursed for time off and who pays our mortgage etc. So I'm really not being a dick and I would love to do my duty etc but I'm in a bit of a pickle.

I will attempt a deferral - who knows?

OP posts:
CanBlondesWearMustard · 18/06/2019 22:41

I've been excused 4 times in the past 2 years due to being heavily pregnant, breastfeeding, no childcare for 2 pre schoolers, and just been called again. They put you back in the pool though and I keep getting requested but I really don't have childcare. Hoping they excuse me again but while knows, I must using up my chances!!

Original poster
RolyWatts · 18/06/2019 22:43

Happy to do it once schools are back.

OP posts:
Original poster
RolyWatts · 18/06/2019 22:45

…..although asking neighbours and friends to do the school pick up on a particularly long case might get me CF status on here Grin.

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 18/06/2019 22:45

I was able to postpone mine.
Ds1 was about 3 weeks old when I was first called. I explained that I was ebf my newborn, no problem they said.
Then I got another letter to go in 12 months time. I had just returned to work after maternity leave Grin
You could explain the situation and ask to do it at the start of term.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 18/06/2019 22:45

Sorry op. Cross posts.

AnyFucker · 18/06/2019 22:49

Yes, but about 18 years ago

I cited having just had a baby and no wraparound childcare for the older one. Had no problem getting an exemption but was told I could expect to be valled again within 2 years. I'm still waiting Smile

LoafofSellotape · 18/06/2019 22:50

I've been excused 4 times in the past 2 years

That's odd,I thought you could defer once and the third time you are expected to attend or be removed from the list ( as I was)

Have they changed the rules?

LoafofSellotape · 18/06/2019 22:51

OP just ring asap and explain your situation.

AnyFucker · 18/06/2019 22:51

*called

Original poster
RolyWatts · 18/06/2019 22:51

Thanks Muchado.

Been having a look at the expenses guidance sheet and it talks about loss of earnings going up depending on length of service. The highest amount is for 100 days and over Shock Can you imagine being on jury duty for over a hundred days??

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 18/06/2019 22:56

You're given the option to continue after 2 weeks of it's a long case iirc. My friend did a long one,she loved it,found it fascinating.

meuh · 18/06/2019 23:01

Apply to be excused, not to defer, otherwise you'll be expected to do it on another date, which may prove to be just as difficult. I was excused 10 years ago for childcare reasons and haven't been called again since. I'd actually love to do it but it just wasn't practical at the time.

Original poster
RolyWatts · 18/06/2019 23:01

I reckon I would actually find it interesting too. Just been googling long court cases and there was one in Scotland recently that lasted 320 days. Bloody hell! Good to know you can leave after 2 weeks. That has allayed my fears somewhat!

OP posts:
Medievalist · 18/06/2019 23:10

Deferred twice - once because of breastfeeding and once because we had a holiday booked.

Lemonlady22 · 18/06/2019 23:13

i would love to do it but never been asked....my husband was called to do it but was excused cos hes as deaf as a post!