anyone with any experience of refusing jury service on grounds of imminent birth/newborn baby?

[jumbly]

I've just received a summons for jury service, starting a fortnight after my due date. I'm the sole carer for a 21 month old as it is, already. The forms they've sent to me, and the official jurors' website, don't give any indication as to whether childbirth/nursing a newborn/caring for preschoolers are accepted as reasons for deferring or refusing jury service, but does anyone out there have any experience or knowledge of this? Isn't it just fantastic?! - another thing to worry about - just when I was really running short of things to worry about....

Hi jumbly,

I was summoned for two weeks before my due date, and I phoned them up and explained and they said it was fine, to just send an email to the address on the form. As long as you haven't deferred it before you'll be fine.
It was no problem to defer it. I was called back about six months later, and you can't defer it the second time, so do it this time.
Call them and email them. You will be ok.

that's such a relief to hear - thanks v much

my dad did this when i was born and was fine. not sure they ever called him back either!

I believe they expect you to find childcare Ruby. I have taken emergency mindees a couple of times and the court has paid me directly.

I managed to get out of jury service on grounds of stress and anxiety. I was a nervous wreck as the date got closer, so went to the doctor and sobbed to him basically. He signed me off and I was excused.

Here in Scotland (esp for High Court jury service)if you don't have a childcare provider the courts actually give you a list of registered childminders. They then reimburse you the cost of using childcare whilst on jury duty. Had to do this when ds was about a year old, luckily friend had just registered as a childminder so was her first mindee.
As for expectant/new/nursing mums I think they have to be considerate towards their needs and will keep you on the list but not call you until child is a certain age, poss about 6mths.

Did you say 'stressful' Ruby? There you go then! Straight to the doctors with stress, he'll get you off!

I'm absolutely with you on that, RubyRioja - DS isn't used to any form of childcare other than the odd half day here and there with grandparents.... the imposition of weeks, or possibly months, of full-day childcare would be a nightmare....anyway, the most immediate concern is the imminent new arrival - i'll see what the say - no one's answering their phones there at the moment....

I was called just after ds1 was born and just wrote to tell them that I had no childcare for him and they accepted that.

Well, since DS came after an incredibly quick labour, I could probably threaten to have my baby in court - that would show 'em, eh?!