What's the vibe for jury duty

[McHot]

Anyone with experience can you give me and idea of what's sensible to wear - for reference I am currently small 18/16 but on MJ so potentially a bit smaller by the time it comes around but will still definitely be winter attire. Big boobs and tummy and I'm 5ft 2.

Think an average office. A smart top and trousers is fine.

People just wore very ordinary clothes when I did a short stint around 15 years ago. We were a real mix of ages/personalities/backgrounds etc, but most dressed casually.
I'd go for smart casual, and above all loose-fitting and comfortable, as you are likely to be sitting for long periods of time, both while waiting to be called and in the courtroom if you're selected.
Hope you find it a rewarding experience if you do end up on a jury.

Layers!! You'll flit between jury lounge (basically a canteen), various courts and will be stood outside in a massive queue on day 1 so temperatures vary! At times i was sweating other times freezing lol.

Most people seemed to start off smart casual ans descend into fully casual/whatever they fancied throwing on by end of first week

I just wore a smart dress, woolly tights, flat boots and a thick, longline cardigan (easy to take off if it got too warm). Honestly didn’t give it any thought…this was my normal work wear (teacher).

I was in in April, I wore leggings, T-shirt, fleece and a gillet every day. Most people were in leggings/jeans and jumper combos.

Only the court staff were actually in smart casual or even business dress.

Comfortable and nondescript. Personally I would rather defendants don't notice me too much.

Oh and we saw our judge arrive a couple of days in tracksuit bottoms and a football shirt. He must have had his suit in chambers

This too... saw plenty of defendants and families out and about nearby during lunch break so nice to feel unnoticeable!

I started quite smart but everyone was casual and comfy by the end.

Anything goes. On my first day I wore smart trousers and top and felt ridiculous surrounded by jeans and trackies and trainers.

I just wore my work clothes - trousers and a top.

Something comfy, there is a lot of waiting around and you may not get allocated to a trial. Bring a good book or your laptop to keep occupied. They had lockers so if you do get picked you can store your things.

Definitely go with layers and very comfortable clothes. Like others have said there is just so much sitting around. You’ll probably need comfortable shoes in case you’re allowed to go into town at lunch.

Something that's comfortable to sit in for hours, stand around waiting for hours, make a purposeful exit from the court in, fairly non descript so nobody in the gallery recognises you from their relative's appearance, that sort of thing.

I’m scheduled for jury duty later this month. They cover dress code in guidance for juries.

”What to wearThere is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.
You cannot wear:
casual clothing, such as beachwear; or
anything on your head, unless it is for religious reasons“

https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/what-to-take-to-court

I did it a few years ago and wore essentially what I would wear to meet a friend for lunch - nice jeans, top, cardigan, type outfits. The court I was in was cold, and the trial lasted a whole week.

Yes I've received the info pack, so aware of the guidelines just looking for real life experience of what works for the environment and comfort levels etc ☺️

@McHotah ok gotcha. I’m still chuckling at the fact they felt the need to specify no beachwear.

I would wear trainers or comfy shoes. I wore boots on day 1. I got picked and all the up and down stairs to court killed my feet. I wore trainers after that. Most of us wore jeans

Honestly go plain and casual in a jeans/ trousers and a top sort of way. Nothing low cut or bold. You want to blend in to the background. Take a cardigan as they usually get you to leave your coat and it can get chilly. People there all just wear very normal day to day clothes- similar to what you see walking round any shopping centre on a random Tuesday afternoon.

Given that you've mentioned your size, I would say that will potentially be your biggest issue, not the clothes.

If you are in one of the 18th century court buildings, you will actually physically struggle to sit on the jury benches for any length of time. They are extremely narrow with shallow seats.

So be aware of potential embarrassment, discomfort and even DVT risk if long days and a long case.

But hopefully it's a modern building, and this won't be a problem!

I'd aim for somewhere between business casual and what I'd wear to the airport - comfortable layers, but in plain/dark colours and nothing that would stand out too much.

I'm a similar size, have done jury service twice in a traditional courthouse and had zero problems with any of those things, literally no issue at all.

I agree with comfy, layers and nondescript, you do see defendants and witnesses outside quite often and don't really want to be noticeable to them.

For me it would be nothing that digs into my stomach so im comfortable sitting. I would wear a plain dark jumper and a smart looking joggers with elastic waist no jewellery for any metal detectors hassle.

I would wear a dress and warm tights or black trousers and smart top. Definitely take a cardigan to easily layer up as others say.