Would I be unreasonable?

[RudsyFarmer]

To turn up on the first day of jury service with my children in tow?

I asked to be excused based on having no childcare for the duration (could be up to six weeks) and they have said no.

. I can get ad hoc childcare but nothing reliable for a long period of time (although I know some of these cases are just days long). My kids are primary aged and we are a 15 min car journey from school. No family locally.no friends locally. Partner in a medical job that won’t allow him to just take weeks off work. Could possibly get a day off here or there but nothing reliable. my mother lives a distance away and is in her 80’s, my MIL is an hour away and very ill, also in her 80’s.

I’m also due to start a new job around the time they want me to attend with a training day etc. That too is now up in the air. I have asked to defer to at least kick it down the road. Worst case scenario WIBU to just turn up with the kids in tow on the last week of the summer holidays? I honestly feel out of ideas.

Why should she have to pay for childcare and put her self out to be on jury service? I would be irritated if I was out of pocket

I assume the 8.30pm time will only be when a verdict is being determined. I’m m getting a pack through apparently so I’ll have a good read.

I think childcare is compensated for, I assumed holiday care also but I could be wrong about that!!

I really doubt you need to be available until 8.30pm
I did two weeks of jury service at a crown court a few years back and we had to be there at 9.30am and were done by 3.30/4 latest each day.

Are you allowed to say what the case was? I’d be interested to know.

I would be afraid of being held in contempt of court so wouldn’t do it personally, I would try and get childcare for day one and spout some very right wing views that would make me be seen as unsuitable.

Although as you are in the UK maybe some very left wing views might give you a better chance of being excused 😂

Or looking on the bright side if the prosecution or defense don’t like yer face they
can ‘challenge’, & you are free to go.

Oh c'mon now Rudsy women are always to blame (for everything) you should have foreseen this and made alternate (unspecified) plans a decade ago. Fancy you going and using your uterus in a reckless manner without thinking through every possible ramification.

On a more positive note have you tried asking for a deferral ? You mention the Summer holidays so I'm guessing childcare might be easier in term time? "it’s worth bearing in mind that the courts would much prefer that you request a deferral instead. A deferral is where you ask to serve on a different date to the one you have been summoned for, within 12 months of your summons. Generally, a deferral request will be accepted if you have a fairly good reason, such as a holiday booked, hospital appointment, childcare issues, etc"https://www.mumblog.co.uk/jury-service-your-rights-as-a-parent/

If that's a no as well, there is such a thing as emergency nanny agencies but you'd be well out of pocket - but professional / semi professional babysitters might be more affordable

https://www.sitters.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwrNmWBhA4EiwAHbjEQPMNL32peUNOhYkqJwo46bkJONY7eJJevj14TxVHEt7viSeu0EANXRoC15UQAvD_BwE

I thinks it outrageous they can just expect you (and your DH) to accommodate this. Childcare doesn't just magic itself Up and you're right I wouldn't be comfortable just dropping my kids anywhere on a whim

You get plenty of notice - two months - so that ought to be sufficient time.

And you can claim costs:
www.gov.uk/jury-service/how-to-claim-expenses

sorry just saw this one - a nanny or bittysitting agency might be able to get you in touch with someone who would pick up your kids from school and take them back to yours. Not ideal but just a thought as it may be your best option.

I was called to jury service years ago when my children were small, the oldest just started school and the youngest not yet walking. I asked a local school mum (not exactly a friend but somebody I did know) if she wanted to earn a bit of extra money and she did the school runs and looked after the little one. The case (it was a murder) only took a week and I was excused after that because of the children.

Could you not also ask to defer on the grounds that the trial is due to start days after you start your new job and you would therefore be missing out on obligatory induction training? Seems a perfectly reasonable and legitimate ground for deferral in my opinion as you're not bucking your civic duty, just deferring it until a more convenient time.

I've never known crown court be there past about 4pm so there's no way you'd need child care past 8pm!

What do they expect you to do with your children, leave them home alone? Bring them, they'll excuse use in a heart beat!

I completely understand that people use it as an excuse but there has to be some understanding that for some childcare is very difficult to access. Plus it needs to be paid upfront and then claimed back which is unaffordable to many. I will try my hardest to sort it out but if I can’t she’ll at least present myself.

Ask to be excused on the grounds of having a new job to start with a mandatory training day. If you've got a contract then send a copy with your request. What's more annoying is that you could bend over backwards to make yourself available at great expense and inconvenience and then not be called, or go in one day to be sent home, and then back 2 days later etc etc. The whole system really does waste a lot of people's time and resources.

Oh yeah I was agreeing with you.

That's odd. They deferred me twice as I was pregnant the fist time, just returning back to work after maternity the second. I'd just write back saying you won't be attending due to having no childcare

You shouldn't have to be massively out of pocket or use all your annual leave to be able to do jury service. You shouldn't be any worse off than you would be normally.

Frankly? Jury service shouldn't see you out of pocket. There is loads of money washing around the UK and it shouldn't be impossible for:

a) the court system to supply good quality childcare so nobody has to make their own arrangements
b) based on last 6 months payslips that nobody loses one penny in lost earnings etc (similar for self-employed or small companies)
c) for it to be able to be deferred up to 3 times.

Nobody should be expected to give up paid vacation so their partner can do jury service, it is utter ridiculous.

my sister in a similar position

what did you do in the end?