Jury service??

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Have to start jury service on Monday for two weeks (hopefully no longer). Anyone else had to do it? Any tips?

ive done it. what sort of things do you need to know?

i did it last summer, being away from work and pretty relaxed got me pregnant!!!

i did enjoy it, but would rather not having to do it again.
i sat on 2 cases, interesting to see how the system works, was pleasantly surprised by open mindedness and will to be fair from fellow jurors, but i understand some people have very different experiences.
it involves a lot of waiting sitting around, take books mags and own music.

IMO it's very very boring unless you get a "good" case.

Normally the first day is the worst, swearing you in and the rest.

i enjoyed it and the time off work was good. agree about the waiting around though too. def take books and magazines

Thanks for that. Did you just do the two weeks? I'm afraid they will ask me to do it for longer and I really can't. I have deferred once already – I was supposed to do it just before Christmas but working for a tiny five-person business I managed to convince them that we were so busy that it was impossible then and told them May is our quietest month. So they gave me May ... and I just hope I haven't used up all my excuses to be excused serving for longer than 2 weeks!

Am looking forward to a much reduced commute and shorter hours however! We are ttc so maybe working a more relaxed day will do me good too. Will take plenty to read as you recommend. They say not to take your mobile phone - is that true? Quite a few people I tell are envious, saying they have always wanted to do it! I can't help seeing it as a nuisence but, as my boss pointed out, we can't believe in fair trial by jury if we are not prepared to give up our time to do it.

Are they ok about refunding expenses?

Thanks!

they will ask you beforehand if you can do a case which is longer if it comes up but if you say no just the 2 weeks they cant really argue

i actually got more money when i did jury service. dont think they tax you or something and also you get a crtain amount of vouchers for food. if you dont use them or only use some you get that money back as well, along with travel and stuff

The mobile phone thing is a security issue because alot of them have cameras on now and recording equipment. They may check your bag and if your phone is in possible keep it until you have finished the day.