To try to get out of jury duty??

[FusionChefGeoff]

I've been summoned for 23rd August for 2 weeks but I run my own (micro) business and have key client projects launching those 2 weeks so I'd like to delay - plus it's school holidays and I don't want to be stuck in bloody court!!!

But I'm not sure how it then works.

So it asks to give 3 alternative possible start dates within the next 12 months. Plus you need to be available for 2 weeks in each of those blocks.

Am I then expected to keep all 6 weeks clear in case I get a short notice call up? Or will they reply fairly quickly to confirm which window I need to be available for??

My business could not cope with weeks worth of black out dates - as I can't refuse work worth thousands (average contracts last 3-4 months with 'launch' stuff as a climax at the end and is worth 8k ish) and generally speaking if I can't agree to be available on the project launch dates I won't get it!!

I also work within an industry that has literally only just reopened properly this week so I'm on the bones of my arse as it is.

Anyone know how it works and AIBU to try to defer completely for this 12 month period due to my business needs???

YABU - I doubt jury service is ever convenient for anybody.
You need to suck it up and do your duty.

You may as well try. I was excused entirely because of childcare reasons.

Defer and you’ll probably not actually get called again.

I did a two week stint in June, was in court three days in total. Several people u know had very similar experiences

@NiceTwin

YABU - I doubt jury service is ever convenient for anybody. You need to suck it up and do your duty.

Oh don’t be so ridiculous! Nobody should lose their business over 2 weeks of jury duty 🙄

I applied (successfully) online to be excused earlier this year. I didn't have to give alternative availability.

I stated that I was self employed, running my own business and doing jury duty for two weeks or more would result in such a loss of earnings it would cause me financial hardship.

If you defer to another date they will tell you which date within a week or so of submitting the response.

@Elsielouise13

Defer and you’ll probably not actually get called again.

I did a two week stint in June, was in court three days in total. Several people u know had very similar experiences

That’s nonsense. My husband had to postpone 3 times for work purposes and they didn’t stop calling him for jury duty until he actually attended and got it out the way. In the end he served on jury for an attempted murder case.

I’ve deferred 3x now and am called back up every 18 months or so.

All you can do is write your excusal request and see what they say.

You can also ignore the letter as they're not sent recorded delivery

I would not lose a business over it.

However, I really believe people have a duty to do this. It is never convenient. It is the price of justice.

I know of 2 people who’ve been called for duty service recently and both have been dismissed due to Covid .

@Newnames123 thank you that's the key bit of information I was missing!!

With enough notice I can make a 2 week stint work - same way I would with pre booked holidays. I can warn clients / get freelance cover in etc. It's a massive pain in the arse, don't get me wrong, and I would lose the not insignificant costs for employing that cover person but at least I can take the contracts overall.

I think I'll defer now then put some Feb dates down with an explanation that I would really appreciate it if they could confirm which dates ASAP due to business needs etc.

I deferred with a new born and toddler. No problem at all.

30 years later I was called again but I was a carer for my terminally ill father. That was granted as well.

I'm too old now.

Defer and you’ll probably not actually get called again

Not true, you will be called again.

How old is too old?

Over 70. :)

@NiceTwin

YABU - I doubt jury service is ever convenient for anybody. You need to suck it up and do your duty.

No you don't suck it up if your livelihood is at risk !

@DancesWithTortoises,it’s gone up now to 75.I am 73 and was summoned recently.

Covid symptoms

I deferred when dd was little no problem (single parent no childcare)
Got called up feb this year but was told not to go to court unless called, never got a call though.
Did have a dream last night I was called up again though spookily

Yanbu to defer. I got one through today and I will be asking for deferral. It's already going to be tight this year with my pay being frozen and my mortgage going up, no way can I afford to keep a roof over our heads with the next-to-nothing they offer to cover wages.

Thanks everyone I feel a bit better now I was ready to burst into tears as the implications started to sink in!!

I'll defer and see what happens.

I have recently deferred due to childcare issues. Mainly not being able to get to court on time due to childcare not starting till 8am and the journey being an hour and 20 minutes. I said this situation would be ongoing as no childcare starts that early that is flexible enough / has the space to start a child with what normally is eight weeks notice. I was deferred completely from my understanding.