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Original poster

Jury service

28 replies

mooki · 20/09/2008 22:20

Hi, I've got jury service is a few weeks time. Now that I've been summoned anyone know how likely I am to actually serve? I mean do they get more people than they need and then not use all of them? And/or if I am used, is it usually full time for the whole period?

Ordinarily I'd love to do it but I've only just gone back to work and am really busy. Two weeks out is going to be a complete arse -I'm likely to have to work the weekend in the middle as it is.

I was originally called for when DD would have been about 12 weeks old so I deferred and said I would do it after she was 1 (thinking I probably would have stopped breastfeeding by then - hah!) they've called me when she will be 13 months, so they are being fairly pedantic.

thanks

OP posts:
MrsSprat · 20/09/2008 22:29

You will be required to go in each day for the two weeks. However, if you are not needed for a trial that day they'll send you home and tell you to come back the following day.

When you defer they just slot you on the database for as soon as you say you're available, so it's not really being that pedantic IYKWIM

There's loads of waiting around, so if your work is portable, you'll be able to get on with it.

I've done JS twice (I know!) so any further questions just ask.

edam · 20/09/2008 22:34

I deferred for medical reasons, never got called again. Odd.

MrsSprat · 20/09/2008 22:41

I think it might be to do with giving them a time-related span when you appeal/defer.

I deferred the first time I was called, as I was going overseas for a few months, lo and behold my summons was waiting for me when I got back.

Original poster
mooki · 21/09/2008 09:38

ah, thanks that makes sense.

OP posts:
Tilia · 21/09/2008 09:51

I know it can be a real bore, but I see it as a sort of right of passage (cf giving birth ) and am a bit surprised that I have reached my advanced age of quite a lot (let's just say that I'm probably one of the older mums in the year 3 playground) and have never, ever been called up. Well over 20 years a civil servant, to boot. Why don't they want me? Colleagues who have been called up have found they could pop into the office and catch up on the days they're not required - could work for you, mooki, if the court's not too far the office.

bran · 21/09/2008 09:58

Can you bring work with you? When I did jury service there were lockers available so some people brought laptops to use when they weren't in court. Even if you are on a jury there is a lot of sitting around waiting to be called to the courtroom. There were also a few days when I didn't get chosen for a jury and there were no more jurors needed for that day so I was allowed to leave at lunchtime.

I think you would be unlucky to have to do the full two weeks, I finished on Wednesday morning of my second week.

Original poster
mooki · 21/09/2008 13:04

Useful ideas. I am genuinely keen to do it, I think as posters have said on other threads that it will be an interesting insight into the justice system - my knowledge so far being limited to three seasons of The Wire.

I will try and take some work-related reading to do, but on the other hand if the day is a write off in work terms, I don't often get the opportunity to read a novel these days....

The court is en route to work, so if I'm not needed for the whole day it won't be difficult to pop into the office.

OP posts:
unknownrebelbang · 21/09/2008 13:25

I used to be exempt, but I'm not any longer, sigh.

My former boss was called recently, although he was never actually used he did have to attend on several days. (He was informed the night before via telephone whether or not he was required).

Quite difficult really, after 30+ years working in the CJS he knew almost everyone in the court room, from the defendant to the Judge.

Bizarre to insist on him attending.

shhhh · 21/09/2008 21:21

how do you qualify for js..? I have always wondered if/how I would be called for but never had the chance...

It is off the electorial register..?

MaureenMLove · 21/09/2008 21:26

As soon as you have a National Insurance number, you qualify for Jury Service, Shhh. Its the luck of the draw. some people get called twice, maybe 3 times (my neighbour has) others don't ever get called.

Sidge · 21/09/2008 21:36

I did jury service and really enjoyed it. There is a lot of hanging around; I read lots and did crosswords! A few of us had a little posse where we would sit in a corner, drink tea and share round the papers

We had to go in each day, and occasionally were sent away by late morning. I think I got picked for a jury on day 3 and it took a week.

How long you are needed depends on the trial - one woman I met did 3 trials as she kept getting picked for short ones!

ckc · 21/09/2008 21:37

hi i have just been on jury service last month i was called up first day i was there the trial ended after 9 days so i was able to go home and didn't have to come back on the 10th day, but there was a guy there who did 9 days and was told to go in on the 10th day and ended up on a 10 week murder trial but they do ask you after the second week if you get called up again if it is convenient for you, you do have to stay until the trial your in is over though...X

shhhh · 21/09/2008 21:38

thought so mml.....think mum got called years ago but dh & I have never been asked...

MaureenMLove · 21/09/2008 21:44

I managed to whimp out of it! I got called for 17th December for 2 weeks! Nice timing eh? I got myself in such a pickle about it, DH suggested I got to the doctors and tell him and he wrote me a medical note. Stating that I was complete insane probably! I just can't see the attraction myself. I can't think of anything I would like to do less! Totally irrational, I'm sure, but its just not my thing.

shhhh · 21/09/2008 21:56

Guess it depends on what the court case is...must admit, I would find it quite interesting if not some huge emotional case iykiwm....

beeny · 21/09/2008 22:00

I know you cant talk about the cases what did you think of the barristers

lisad123 · 21/09/2008 22:06

My DH has been called but has been allowed to defer as our baby girl is undergoing some health tests ect, but been told he will be needed in FEb
He hates the idea and he doesnt get paid, we reallly cant afford for him t have much time off unpaid.Anyone know how you can get out of it??

shhhh · 21/09/2008 22:13

Can't your gp sign him off due to your dd..?differenet I know but I got "invited" (aherm.... onto a speed awareness course when I would have been 6 months pregnant and huge so deferred it but had 6 months i think to take it...but I guessed I would be bf etc and with dh having to try and see to our dd and 3 ish month old ds it would be a nightmare...my gp who is brill and totally against the reasons I was asked onto the course wrote me a letter without a problem and without even seeing me...

The course was cancelled..points weren't however .!

shhhh · 21/09/2008 22:14

btw, following ds's birth he was extremley ill so I guess the course would have been cancelled anyway..worth a try imo.

lisad123 · 21/09/2008 22:15

i guess it depends on the results of her tests, might see about that.
LOL invited!

Jbck · 21/09/2008 22:18

It gives you the reasons for deferring & being excused on the reply form Lisa it's worth seeing if he can 'bend' any of them to suit your situation. GPs are usually pretty good at providing notes to help. If he won't get paid I think you can claim some money (not sure on that one)

Jbck · 21/09/2008 22:19

This might help here

shhhh · 21/09/2008 22:24

tbh I would act "stoopid" iykwim..try and cancel it now on the basis of dd...don't mention the fact that the result may be known by then..
TBH I would go off how things are now...advise them of the current situation, get your gp to provide a back up letter and go from there...tbh the way the nhs is sadly things may drag on beyond feb. I so hope not but with ds, diagnosis wasn't until 5 weeks of age after being admitted at 3 days...his operation wasn't until he was 6ish weeks, complications led to another operation immediatly and this then wasn't resolved until ds was around months old...numerous hospital visits/stay inbetween and we are still under regular surgeon care...

I wousld say, this is the situation, we don't now when it will be resolved therefor BOGOFF !

Hope all goes well with your dd btw, I know how worrying it can be when your lo is ill... x

shhhh · 21/09/2008 22:35

lisa,read about your lo on another thread...hope you get the results you want..{{{hugs}}} x

lisad123 · 21/09/2008 22:44

thanks shh just seen your post. I hope so too, but reading what marie has gone though has kinda shaken my confidence