Every voter in the UK is liable to be called up to perform jury duty. Jurors are picked at random and invited to trials to keep the legal system functioning. Here’s shat you should do if you get a Jury Service Letter.
Have you received a letter in the mail telling you that you have been selected for jury duty? If you live in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, this could happen to you. This article discusses what jury duty is and what you should do when you receive the calling.
UK citizens are duty bound to serve on a jury in judgement of their peers from the moment they are old enough to appear on the electoral register. The voting age in the UK is 16 years old, meaning that you are eligible to vote in every local and general election after your 16th birthday.
When selecting a jury to sit in court, officials pick names at random from the voter’s register. This way, they source responsible adults from among the general public as and when they are needed.
What is Jury Duty in the UK?
If you have been selected for jury duty in the UK, the government or court system will send you a letter inviting you to respond. You have seven days to reply to say that you will or will not be in attendance on the selected dates.
Although you can refuse jury duty it is not advisable to do so. There are limited reasons why you can claim exemption for this service. For example, you may work for a life-saving service which cannot spare you, or you might be too unwell to make it to court.
It is important that you answer the letter promptly. You may get into trouble with the law if you do not. Jury duty is a mandatory obligation. You may sit on cases involving medical malpractice, criminal law, or large scale corporate lawsuits.
What Happens During Jury Duty?
You will receive a Jury Service Letter which details what is expected of you and when. You must answer the letter within 7-days to proceed. Later, further details of your dates and locations will arrive. Respond within the appropriate times.
For the dates specified, you will call the court in the morning for instructions. You may not be needed at all and you might be on a jury of twelve peers. They will tell you when you call. It is important that you call the number given every day of your jury service.
If you do have to go to court then you will show up on time. You will sit and listen to the case presented to the court room if you are summoned. At the end of the sessions, the judge will ask you to convene and present your decision.
Jury duty doesn’t usually last longer than ten days although some trials can be notoriously long.
Do You Have to Attend Jury Duty in the UK?
There are exemptions which allow you to bypass jury duty as long as you respond within that initial 7-day period. These exemptions are designed to only be suitable for a small group of people. Jury duty is a public service all voters must partake in if they are asked.
Exemptions to attending jury duty in the UK include:
- If you are having an operation or are hospitalised you may be exempt
- If you are sitting an exam
- If your employer refuses to give you time off
- If you have just welcomed a new baby
- If you are not in the country
Otherwise you should attend jury duty.
Do You Get Paid For Jury Service?
You do not get paid for jury service in the UK. Your employer may still pay you for the days you attend jury duty but it is not a legal obligation. If your employer does not pay you then there is another option.
You can reclaim costs such as travel expenses and loss of earnings when you sit on a jury in the UK. If you can prove your daily earnings and provide receipts for transport taken, then this money can be returned to you. You can also claim for food expenses should you need to stay in the courtroom for extended periods.
How Do You Get Picked For Jury Service?
Jurors are picked at random from the electoral register. If you are registered to vote within the UK then you are eligible to be chosen for jury duty. You cannot request to be a juror. All jurors are randomised to prevent biased candidates from sitting on a jury in specific cases.
If you have been chosen for jury duty you must follow the instructions on your Jury Service Letter. Going to court is nothing to be scared of and can turn out to be an educational experience.
