Page 15 | To think that DH is selfish over my jury service?

SeekChase · 2023-03-23T08:14:37+00:00

Hi Ladies... So, around 2 months ago I was sent a Jury Summons. As I am a mum to 2 small (1&4) children, and with the Jury Service being set for first week or half term ( no preschool), I tried to get out of it, but to no avail. I do understand that they always invite a surplus of potential Jury candidates and there is a chance of getting out on the day... However, I did give my DH plenty of notice (he is a roofer) and asked that he takes that week to 10 days off to look after the kids (I am normally the stay at home mum) - while I do the Jury Service IF I can't get out of it. HE AGREED. Well, last night, bearing in mind I have a week or so before the Jury service starts, he told me he wants to work and its tough. He said I'll have to not go. I said I can get fined £1000 for not showing up, he said "yes it's stupid isn't it" - but won't budge. I have family but they are actually going away on a prearranged holiday, my DH said they will have to cancel and its not his problem. I am fuming. AIBU?

BadNomad · 24/03/2023 12:56

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 12:53

Why, i would not take part of unpaid joke like a jury service- my time,my childreb missing out on holidays or our income taking a hit would not be an option so the goverment has another muppet to work for them for free,no thanks. Perhaps its time to get iut of middle ages and join civil law legal system with rest of the developed countries.

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It's not voluntary. You don't get to just opt out. If you're called up, you are obligated to go unless there is a permitted reason to not go. You don't get to decide.

TimeForTeaAndG · 24/03/2023 12:59

Outliers · 24/03/2023 10:46

It's bad that he didn't give notice he wouldn't be able to watch kids, not entirely bad he's cautious about sacrificing 10 days income given you are SAHM.

Hope you work it out, doesn't have to spell end of your marriage.

He's not sacrificing income, he was taking paid holiday leave from his job.

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 12:59

By their own website there are reasons to be exempts as for looking after a dependant, having holiday booked, not getting time off work etc.. seriously it amazes me how adult people let themselves be bent over and not question, the goverment does not own mine or my husbands time.

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 24/03/2023 13:00

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 12:59

By their own website there are reasons to be exempts as for looking after a dependant, having holiday booked, not getting time off work etc.. seriously it amazes me how adult people let themselves be bent over and not question, the goverment does not own mine or my husbands time.

If I’m honest, I’m not sure it would be the worst thing in the world if you never made it onto a jury.

TimeForTeaAndG · 24/03/2023 13:01

BadNomad · 24/03/2023 12:56

It's not voluntary. You don't get to just opt out. If you're called up, you are obligated to go unless there is a permitted reason to not go. You don't get to decide.

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I'm betting Bloopsie has declared themself a free man of the land or whatever that nonsense is.

Though I'm wondering about civil law legal systems. Is that like America where everything is about litigation...but they also have criminal trials with a jury....

strawberry2017 · 24/03/2023 13:02

Good luck with leaving Op. sounds like you are doing what's right for you and your family.

user9989820190 · 24/03/2023 13:03

OP I am glad you got the deferral and really well done on leaving. Hopefully when they call you again you can get childcare put in place either with your parents or someone else who isn't useless and unreliable.

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:03

Why would you want to spend your limited days on a jury service when you could do something with the kids and keep them for the summer? Even if i was single i could think of better things to do with my time. What bizarre slave mentality, that you have to give up the free time you have earned through work up for the govemrent for free so they dont have to hire a person.

Doesthepopeshitinthewoods · 24/03/2023 13:06

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:03

Why would you want to spend your limited days on a jury service when you could do something with the kids and keep them for the summer? Even if i was single i could think of better things to do with my time. What bizarre slave mentality, that you have to give up the free time you have earned through work up for the govemrent for free so they dont have to hire a person.

This isn’t about you. Stop trying to get attention.

BadNomad · 24/03/2023 13:06

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 12:59

By their own website there are reasons to be exempts as for looking after a dependant, having holiday booked, not getting time off work etc.. seriously it amazes me how adult people let themselves be bent over and not question, the goverment does not own mine or my husbands time.

You can only defer in those circumstances. They don't take you off the list. They can still call you up again in the future.

Some people are ineligible, but that's only for things like having a mental disorder or being unable to speak English. I'm not eligible because of my job.

ArdeteiMasazxu · 24/03/2023 13:07

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 12:59

By their own website there are reasons to be exempts as for looking after a dependant, having holiday booked, not getting time off work etc.. seriously it amazes me how adult people let themselves be bent over and not question, the goverment does not own mine or my husbands time.

wow. good to see how little you value living in a democracy. I'm sure you'll love living in a facist dictatorship where ordinary people have no role to play in the justice system.

If someone with this attitude does ever get called up, the best get-out would be "my critical thinking skills are so low that nobody should have to rely on my thinking-power to determine their future liberty" - the defendant will very much thank the judge for releasing such a person from service.

AllyArty · 24/03/2023 13:08

That’s really not nice - no excuse for him. He knows he’s in the wrong and is trying to make little of it.

Comefromaway · 24/03/2023 13:09

even if he wasnt self employed but working for someone,will he have to take a hit on an income?

Yes, I work for payroll and several employees have been called for Jury Service. They either have to take the income hit, or book paid holiday (which is what OP's dh originally did).

The system is wrong but it is the system., You cannot choose to not do jury service

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:10

BadNomad · 24/03/2023 13:06

You can only defer in those circumstances. They don't take you off the list. They can still call you up again in the future.

Some people are ineligible, but that's only for things like having a mental disorder or being unable to speak English. I'm not eligible because of my job.

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And they can keep calling the children will be still there as dependants in 12,24 etc months and if thats not enough i have a holiday booked- anywhere but where the jury service takes place. Its so oxymoron to see people raging on her husbands seeing the nonsense but dont see the nonsense in giving in a to a controller who threatens with fines if you dont do what they want with no gain to yourself. Yeah, bunch of real strong independent women here. Pff.

user9989820190 · 24/03/2023 13:12

@Bloopsie Because it's the law that you have to do it when asked. You can be prosecuted and fined if you ignore the summons. You can defer once. The reasons you gave as being exempt are not exemptions, they are possible reasons for deferral. When you defer you are usually asked to give alternate dates when you are available. The only exemptions I know of are: if you are a serving police or prison officer, on bail, a lawyer, or have been excused from serving again by a judge because of previously serving in a horrific case.

Rollingaroundinmud · 24/03/2023 13:12

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:03

Why would you want to spend your limited days on a jury service when you could do something with the kids and keep them for the summer? Even if i was single i could think of better things to do with my time. What bizarre slave mentality, that you have to give up the free time you have earned through work up for the govemrent for free so they dont have to hire a person.

Haven't you noticed we are sheep when they say jump we say how high?

We don't question anything we allow them to do what they want to us.

Comefromaway · 24/03/2023 13:14

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 12:59

By their own website there are reasons to be exempts as for looking after a dependant, having holiday booked, not getting time off work etc.. seriously it amazes me how adult people let themselves be bent over and not question, the goverment does not own mine or my husbands time.

a. Looking after a dependent - there has to be particular reason eg the child is under the age of 1 and you are breastfeeding or there are special circumstances why you cannot leave thm, Iin which case it is deferred for up to 6 months (as OP has done) not cancelled comepletely

b. Holiday booked - you have to provide proof of the booked holiday and yo are then expected to provide a list of dates that you are available

c. can't get time off work - I did this myself. There has to be a special reason for example an accountant could defer if they were called at the end of the tax year or you are a teacher and you were called during GCSE exam run up. Again it is not cancelled, just deferred to a later date.

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:15

Comefromaway · 24/03/2023 13:14

a. Looking after a dependent - there has to be particular reason eg the child is under the age of 1 and you are breastfeeding or there are special circumstances why you cannot leave thm, Iin which case it is deferred for up to 6 months (as OP has done) not cancelled comepletely

b. Holiday booked - you have to provide proof of the booked holiday and yo are then expected to provide a list of dates that you are available

c. can't get time off work - I did this myself. There has to be a special reason for example an accountant could defer if they were called at the end of the tax year or you are a teacher and you were called during GCSE exam run up. Again it is not cancelled, just deferred to a later date.

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How many people are fined every year for not attending?

Comefromaway · 24/03/2023 13:15

I'd prefer to be a sheep on jury service than a wold in prison for contempt of court!

BadNomad · 24/03/2023 13:17

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:10

And they can keep calling the children will be still there as dependants in 12,24 etc months and if thats not enough i have a holiday booked- anywhere but where the jury service takes place. Its so oxymoron to see people raging on her husbands seeing the nonsense but dont see the nonsense in giving in a to a controller who threatens with fines if you dont do what they want with no gain to yourself. Yeah, bunch of real strong independent women here. Pff.

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You're only covered for babies up to one-year-old. After that you can be called again. Just look at the OP. She has dependents. She can only defer. She isn't exempt. Neither are you. You can huff and puff about this all you like, but if you refuse to go you will be committing a criminal offence.

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:18

user9989820190 · 24/03/2023 13:12

@Bloopsie Because it's the law that you have to do it when asked. You can be prosecuted and fined if you ignore the summons. You can defer once. The reasons you gave as being exempt are not exemptions, they are possible reasons for deferral. When you defer you are usually asked to give alternate dates when you are available. The only exemptions I know of are: if you are a serving police or prison officer, on bail, a lawyer, or have been excused from serving again by a judge because of previously serving in a horrific case.

What law, in which paragraph does it say i have to give my family time up for free for jury service?

its like being threatened with census forms, if you dont fill in you get a fine, uhuh- i got a phone call from a “manager” who offered me 25 pound to fill it in, no ta.

Comefromaway · 24/03/2023 13:22

The Juries Act 1974

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:24

BadNomad · 24/03/2023 13:17

You're only covered for babies up to one-year-old. After that you can be called again. Just look at the OP. She has dependents. She can only defer. She isn't exempt. Neither are you. You can huff and puff about this all you like, but if you refuse to go you will be committing a criminal offence.

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Official stats are that 365k a year get called and 30 percent get excused, raising 2 percent in just last year, article in DM how one judge is raging that people are sharing tips to get out of it- outrageous indeed people might want to get reimbursed for their time its not like you are a free person. Perhaps if they paid per hour for people to attend they would not have that problem, is it like british version of modern day slavery

why do people put up with nonsense, its like the pandemic of stockholm syndrome

BreadPittt · 24/03/2023 13:26

Bloopsie · 24/03/2023 13:03

Why would you want to spend your limited days on a jury service when you could do something with the kids and keep them for the summer? Even if i was single i could think of better things to do with my time. What bizarre slave mentality, that you have to give up the free time you have earned through work up for the govemrent for free so they dont have to hire a person.

It's called being a decent citizen.

Something you appear to not be familiar with.

Comefromaway · 24/03/2023 13:26

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