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Original poster

Jury service

18 replies

arlequin · 27/04/2025 22:05

Hoping someone can help me!

I was asked to do jury service in May half term and we are already booked to be away then so I was asked for 3 alternative dates and I selected 3 in November. I have just received my new summons and it is the October half term when DS is just starting Reception. I have emailed saying I’m willing to do literally any other date other than that one and that it wasn’t one of the dates I selected but am concerned that it says I can’t now change again.
I will call tomorrow but wondered if anyone had any advice?

thank you!

OP posts:
40andlovelife · 27/04/2025 22:15

I did it recently. There were people there who were struggling due to childcare responsibilities. I remember one elderly lady who was very upset as she needed to look after husband. I’m sure they let her go home on day 4 though. No advice really. Sorry but if they need you there then they will make you come as you have already deferred once.

Original poster
arlequin · 27/04/2025 22:19

thanks…. That’s so frustrating. Why ask for dates if they then give me a completely different one. I’ve emailed them and will call tomorrow.

OP posts:
JaniceBattersby · 27/04/2025 22:22

They don’t actually let people select dates. It’s just a preference. They need juries for the dates they have trials scheduled in.

I’m not exactly sure why you’re not able to do it but if it’s childcare and given you’ve deferred once already they’d likely expect either your partner to deal with looking after him or for you to put him in holiday club. Childcare is recompensed by the court.

Velmy · 27/04/2025 22:26

In almost all cases you can defer your service only once.

Childcare is unfortunately not a valid reason to be fully excused. You can plead your case over the phone, but they're usually quite steadfast.

You can also plead your case on the first day of service. They may worry that you won't show up one day, putting the trial at risk, and dismiss you early.

I wouldn't recommend this, obviously, but perhaps you never got the summons letter? It may have been delivered to the wrong address, or thrown out with junk mail. They absolutely do not have the time/money/inclination to prosecute people who fail to respond to their summons at the moment, for what that's worth.

Original poster
arlequin · 27/04/2025 22:29

Ugh this is so frustrating. Thanks everyone. I’ll give them a ring tomorrow to see what they say. I’m literally willing to do ANY other dates… just ridiculously unlucky they’re both school holidays

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Original poster
arlequin · 27/04/2025 22:32

Hoping as it’s over 6 months away they will be able to ask someone else (out of the millions of possible people) and put me on a different trial but we’ll see! Anyway fingers crossed will let you know! Thanks for all your help and advice!

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40andlovelife · 28/04/2025 06:18

arlequin · 27/04/2025 22:29

Ugh this is so frustrating. Thanks everyone. I’ll give them a ring tomorrow to see what they say. I’m literally willing to do ANY other dates… just ridiculously unlucky they’re both school holidays

It’s definitely worth giving them a ring. After I deferred they gave me a new date but then rang me to say they had too many jurors for that date. So you might get lucky.

frustrating thing is, when I was there, there were loads who were just sat there for 2 weeks not getting on a case.

1AngelicFruitCake · 28/04/2025 06:46

They’re not ‘putting you on a trial’ you will be available each day and there will be multiple trials going on. Some weeks are busier than others. Some people did a day or two of waiting around and then were dismissed.

BumbleBeegu · 28/04/2025 06:55

They haven’t booked you for any particular trial OP. That’s not how it works. You may find yourself sitting around all day, every day, and never actually called in to do anything 🤷‍♀️

Also…not sure why your child starting in Reception has to do with you not being available for half term? You don’t get to pick your dates unfortunately 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
arlequin · 28/04/2025 07:13

Thanks. Will let you all know!

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Original poster
arlequin · 28/04/2025 09:12

Changed to following week! Hurrah

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Original poster
arlequin · 28/04/2025 21:22

I just got my new confirmation through 🥳 definitely worth the chat

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Hopeful6584 · 28/04/2025 21:28

BumbleBeegu · 28/04/2025 06:55

They haven’t booked you for any particular trial OP. That’s not how it works. You may find yourself sitting around all day, every day, and never actually called in to do anything 🤷‍♀️

Also…not sure why your child starting in Reception has to do with you not being available for half term? You don’t get to pick your dates unfortunately 🤷‍♀️

A lot of people would struggle with that. Nursery is usually 51 weeks a year. Once they start Reception many people won’t have holiday childcare unless they do it themselves.

Original poster
arlequin · 28/04/2025 21:41

It was also that he would have just done his first half term and being sent to holiday camp would have been utterly exhausting for him

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MellowPinkDeer · 28/04/2025 21:44

arlequin · 28/04/2025 21:41

It was also that he would have just done his first half term and being sent to holiday camp would have been utterly exhausting for him

I did mine in Feb. It over ran into half term , I did almost 3 weeks in the end. Some people have been there 7 weeks already!

Original poster
arlequin · 28/04/2025 21:48

@MellowPinkDeerugh that’s gruelling. I’m going that the courts won’t be open over Christmas at least!

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MellowPinkDeer · 28/04/2025 21:51

arlequin · 28/04/2025 21:48

@MellowPinkDeerugh that’s gruelling. I’m going that the courts won’t be open over Christmas at least!

Depends what you get picked for. Thought they do tend to ask if you could do longer than the 2 weeks. We had a double murder. Fascinating but brutal.

Original poster
arlequin · 28/04/2025 21:55

Gosh! I think this court tends to do slightly smaller stuff but could be anything I suppose! Looking forward to it

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