Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

Jury service

34 replies

Rach7291 · 14/04/2025 18:19

This is going to sound a bit silly. My partner has jury service in a few weeks. He already deferred it because I have postnatal depression and was really struggling. I am still struggling just as much, if not worse. We are both very concerned now that this is going to make our situation worse. My mental health is awful and i really do rely on him heavily to help and support me with our baby. I’m assuming there is no way of him being excused based on this? I’m getting very stressed about it all

OP posts:
Velmy · 14/04/2025 18:37

Rach7291 · 14/04/2025 18:19

This is going to sound a bit silly. My partner has jury service in a few weeks. He already deferred it because I have postnatal depression and was really struggling. I am still struggling just as much, if not worse. We are both very concerned now that this is going to make our situation worse. My mental health is awful and i really do rely on him heavily to help and support me with our baby. I’m assuming there is no way of him being excused based on this? I’m getting very stressed about it all

If he has deferred it once already, they won't allow a second deferral.

He could ask to be excused, however this would only be granted if he is registered as your full-time carer.

Lots of people have lots of reasons why Jury duty would be inconvenient/difficult for them, but if that's all it took to get out of it the justice system simply wouldn't work properly.

I hope you feel better soon.

TheClawDecides · 14/04/2025 18:42

How do you manage now while he's at work?

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 14/04/2025 18:45

If I were him I'd call them up to discuss. I did it recently and they had too many jurors, several didn't end up on panels at all, so even if he has to do it he might just be coming home after an hour or two and not going back. Especially if he gets there and talks to them, they really are accommodating if they can be. One lady on mine was struggling with it and she was let go home on the first morning and not called back.

Original poster
Rach7291 · 14/04/2025 19:01

@TheClawDecidesHe works early shifts so is home by about 2pm and has days off in the week so it breaks the week up. He will be doing monday to friday for jury service and won’t be home until 7pm.

OP posts:
Whinge · 14/04/2025 19:05

Rach7291 · 14/04/2025 19:01

@TheClawDecidesHe works early shifts so is home by about 2pm and has days off in the week so it breaks the week up. He will be doing monday to friday for jury service and won’t be home until 7pm.

There's a good chance he'll be sent home after a day or 2, and he may not be needed at all.

The information might say Monday - Friday until 7pm, but very few jurors will do anything close to those hours.

LIZS · 14/04/2025 19:14

When dd did it she was 10-4 latest after first day. Was sent home early a couple of times in first week, once before lunch, and discharged by middle of second.

FortyElephants · 14/04/2025 19:19

He probably won't be there all day, but no he will have to do it. Do you have anyone else who can come and spend time with you in the afternoons?

ScrewedByFunding · 14/04/2025 19:21

I think this is a good opportunity for you to seek Plan B support. There are lots of reasons why your DH might not be avaliable to be with you all the time, luckily you have time to plan for this.

TimeForABreak4 · 14/04/2025 19:23

I was selected last month. Called up on the Sunday and said to call next day and repeat every day till Thursday when I was released from duty. Chances are he likely won't even be selected. There's been five of us! in my office selected over the last three months and only one was picked and he got to the court case and the accused changed his plea to guilty.

tsmainsqueeze · 14/04/2025 19:30

FortyElephants · 14/04/2025 19:19

He probably won't be there all day, but no he will have to do it. Do you have anyone else who can come and spend time with you in the afternoons?

You can't say for certain he will have to do it.
Get your husband to call them and explain it's worth a try .
I was excused due to child care issues and so far around 20 years later have not been recalled and the same for my husband who had caring duties at the time a couple of years ago, neither of us had to prove our reasons.

FortyElephants · 14/04/2025 19:37

tsmainsqueeze · 14/04/2025 19:30

You can't say for certain he will have to do it.
Get your husband to call them and explain it's worth a try .
I was excused due to child care issues and so far around 20 years later have not been recalled and the same for my husband who had caring duties at the time a couple of years ago, neither of us had to prove our reasons.

Show quote history

He's already been excused. You only get to decline once in 2 years. If you're called again you can't decline (unless you have a cast iron reason - full time care for a profoundly disabled person for example) in this case his wife wants him home but he's not needed to care for the baby.

ScottBakula · 14/04/2025 19:57

I did jury service in Feb, I only got sent home early twice despite only sitting one one ( short ) case.

Some people had the oddest excuses that though would get them out of service Inc 1 woman said her cat would become stressed if it was repeatedly left alone, and one guy said he needed to pick his 15 Yr old up from his mates birthday party ( how many 15yr olds have a party in the middle of the day mid week?)
However one gent was excused as his DW was to undergo her 1st round of chemo later that week but he had to bring a letter in from the hospital to prove it.

Your dh can try getting in touch with the jury officer and asking but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

CosyNavyLeader · 14/04/2025 19:59

My husband was excused as he is self employed and the amount he could claim back was a mere fraction of his daily earnings. And he doesn't get paid annual leave.

ScaryM0nster · 14/04/2025 20:00

It might be worth trying the childcare angle - if you’re not able to look after yourself and child reliably for the full day of the jury service then that may be considered.

If he’s constructive and says he could do his normal working hours that shows willing.

anon3455 · 14/04/2025 20:01

Your DH should call the court and speak to the clerk- I know that in the court I appear in on a regular basis there is no issue at all with excusing from jury duty as long as a reason is given.

FortyElephants · 14/04/2025 20:04

ScaryM0nster · 14/04/2025 20:00

It might be worth trying the childcare angle - if you’re not able to look after yourself and child reliably for the full day of the jury service then that may be considered.

If he’s constructive and says he could do his normal working hours that shows willing.

You can't choose the hours you do jury service! You do all the hours or none. Do you think a trial can knock off early so a juror can go home?

TheClawDecides · 14/04/2025 22:10

Whinge · 14/04/2025 19:05

There's a good chance he'll be sent home after a day or 2, and he may not be needed at all.

The information might say Monday - Friday until 7pm, but very few jurors will do anything close to those hours.

Show quote history

There's a good chance he might be sent home after the first week.

But my husband had a 13 week trial that had to break for Christmas.

TheClawDecides · 14/04/2025 22:12

ScaryM0nster · 14/04/2025 20:00

It might be worth trying the childcare angle - if you’re not able to look after yourself and child reliably for the full day of the jury service then that may be considered.

If he’s constructive and says he could do his normal working hours that shows willing.

If he’s constructive and says he could do his normal working hours that shows willing.

Oh dear, that's really not how it works.

Can you imagine 12 people with various different working hours and childcare duties?

A simple 2 day trial could last a week or more. Imagine the cost!

ScaryM0nster · 15/04/2025 06:34

TheClawDecides · 14/04/2025 22:12

If he’s constructive and says he could do his normal working hours that shows willing.

Oh dear, that's really not how it works.

Can you imagine 12 people with various different working hours and childcare duties?

A simple 2 day trial could last a week or more. Imagine the cost!

Show quote history

You know that’s not how it works.

Believe it or not, I also know that’s not how it works.

He however may not. And it’s more likely to be a straightforward excusal if it lands as a ‘I’m trying to make it work’ rather than ‘I’m trying to dodge’.

ScottBakula · 15/04/2025 08:37

ScaryM0nster · 14/04/2025 20:00

It might be worth trying the childcare angle - if you’re not able to look after yourself and child reliably for the full day of the jury service then that may be considered.

If he’s constructive and says he could do his normal working hours that shows willing.

JUDGE " right we will have to stop this murder trial for today as juror number four has to go and collect his/her DCs "

I can't see that happening somehow can you ?

ScaryM0nster · 15/04/2025 08:40

ScottBakula · 15/04/2025 08:37

JUDGE " right we will have to stop this murder trial for today as juror number four has to go and collect his/her DCs "

I can't see that happening somehow can you ?

Show quote history

Try rereading my post.

That’s not what I’ve said.

It’s more like:

Person who handles the juror arrangements - this one doesn’t sound like a skiver, it sounds like a genuine issue. I’ll put them back in the pot for next time.

Velmy · 15/04/2025 11:47

ScaryM0nster · 15/04/2025 08:40

Try rereading my post.

That’s not what I’ve said.

It’s more like:

Person who handles the juror arrangements - this one doesn’t sound like a skiver, it sounds like a genuine issue. I’ll put them back in the pot for next time.

Show quote history

OPs DH has already been 'put back in the pot for next time'.

Once a deferral has been made, the only other way to 'get out' of service is by being excused. OP's DH won't be excused on the grounds she's spoken about unless he is registered as her full time carer.

Mumof1andacat · 15/04/2025 12:32

I completed jury service this year. I was only needed 1 out of the two weeks and was generally there from 10am - 4pm.

ScaryM0nster · 15/04/2025 16:02

Velmy · 15/04/2025 11:47

OPs DH has already been 'put back in the pot for next time'.

Once a deferral has been made, the only other way to 'get out' of service is by being excused. OP's DH won't be excused on the grounds she's spoken about unless he is registered as her full time carer.

Show quote history

Where I live people certainly get relieved of their requirement to attend on particular dates due to child care limitations on multiple occasions.

peppermintcrumble · 15/04/2025 16:19

CosyNavyLeader · 14/04/2025 19:59

My husband was excused as he is self employed and the amount he could claim back was a mere fraction of his daily earnings. And he doesn't get paid annual leave.

Surprised he was excused, as I didn’t think they allowed this as a reason.

My therapist says he knows therapists who haven’t been excused despite the potential impact on their clients.