Frequently asked questions
- Why / how have I been picked for jury service?
- Do I have to serve?
- Can someone else take my place?
- What if I don’t feel well before I reach the court?
- Can I be excused from jury service?
- Can I have my jury service deferred?
- How long will jury service last?
- Will I get paid for being on jury service?
- I have received my Juror Summons Form, what do I do next?
- Can I take someone with me to the court?
- What time does the court sit?
- Does the court have facilities for prayer?
- Will catering facilities be available?
- Why are more people taken into court than sit on the jury?
- What if I’m asked to sit for longer than two weeks?
- Am I allowed to take notes?
- What if I feel unwell during my time on the jury?
- Is there a time limit on how long we can deliberate?
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Why / how have I been picked for jury service?
All jurors are selected at random by computer from the electoral register. Everyone on the electoral register from the ages of 18 to 70 may be selected even if they are not eligible to serve on a jury. Some people never get called, others get called more than once.
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Do I have to serve?
Yes. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 contained provision to ensure that nearly all members of society are eligible for jury service. If you have been summoned for jury service and had that summons confirmed, then you are under a legal obligation to participate in the criminal justice process as a juror.
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Can someone else take my place?
No. A summons is only for the person named on the summons. It cannot be transferred to anyone else. It is an offence for someone to impersonate a juror.
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What if I don’t feel well before I reach the court?
Please call the jury manager as soon as possible. In some cases the trial may have to be postponed for a day. Delaying a trial is extremely costly and is not a good use of public money. For this reason it should be avoided if at all possible.
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Can I be excused from jury service?
Anyone may apply for discretionary excusal. They should write the details on their summons reply in section 3 question C. A jury officer at the Jury Central Summoning Bureau will make a decision whether that person can be excused based on the details given. If a juror is refused excusal they have the right of appeal against this. The juror should put their reasons for appeal in writing addressed to the Head of the Bureau.
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Can I have my jury service deferred?
Anyone can apply to have their jury service deferred. Reasons for such a request e.g. they are going on holiday, should be clearly stated on the Jury Summons form, section 3, question A. Jurors should also provide any other dates when they cannot attend within the next twelve months so a new date can be arranged. A jury summoning officer at the Jury Central Summoning Bureau will make a decision whether the person can be deferred and arrange a new date.
Most applications for deferral are granted but as with excusal anyone refused deferral can appeal to the Head of the Bureau. Jury service can only be deferred once up to a maximum of twelve months from the original date.
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How long will jury service last?
Jury service usually lasts for up to two weeks. The nature of criminal cases can vary greatly and you may be required to serve for longer than the usual two weeks. If a trial is likely to last longer you will be asked at the court if this will be difficult for you. The court will try to meet your requirements as far as is possible.
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Will I get paid for being on jury service?
Courts can pay for loss of earnings, travelling costs, a subsistence allowance and an allowance for other financial loss incurred solely because of jury service up to a maximum daily rate. For the current rates payable to jurors, please see the Her Majesty’s Court Service website. No payment is made to third parties such as employers.
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I have received my Juror Summons Form, what do I do next?
Pages 1 & 2 should be detached and kept in a safe place. You will need to bring them on your first day of service. Pages 3 & 4 must be completed and returned within 7 days to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau as shown on page 2. See summons assistance for further help.
If you need any further assistance after reading these questions, then please contact:
Jury Central Summoning Bureau
Telephone : 0845 3555567 (Local Rate)
(9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday)
Alternatively you can email your query to
jurysummoning@courtservice.gsi.gov.uk -
Can I take someone with me to the court?
It is recommended that you do not do so unless they are there to assist you. You will not be able to be with them during the day, except possibly at lunchtime, and you will not be allowed to talk to them at all about the trial you are sitting on.
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What time does the court sit?
The court normally sits from 10.30am to 4.30pm each day. However, this would depend on the way the trial progresses. Each day, the judge may direct you to sit longer or shorter hours.
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Does the court have facilities for prayer?
Some courts do provide separate areas for prayer and quiet thought. Please contact your local court Jury Manager for further information.
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Will catering facilities be available?
Courts will normally provide refreshment for jurors undertaking jury service. These can be obtained at the court catering outlet and jurors may choose refreshments up to the value of the daily fixed allowance. At a small number of centres we have no catering arrangements on the court premises, at these locations and for jurors who for religious, dietary and other reasons are unable to use the catering facilities an allowance will be paid retrospectively with other expenses.
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Why are more people taken into court than sit on the jury?
This is to show that the requirement for the 12 jury members to be selected at random has been fulfilled. It also ensures that sufficient jurors are there in case any challenges are made by the defence or prosecution. When a case is expected to go on for more than two weeks, a larger group of people will be taken up to court, as there will be some people who will be unable to serve on the jury for that long.
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What if I’m asked to sit for longer than two weeks?
While most cases can be successfully completed within two weeks, there will be some, possibly more complicated cases that cannot. If you are empanelled to sit on such a case, the judge will usually advise you of this before you are sworn in.
If you are unable to sit for longer than two weeks, you should explain your reasons to the judge who will decide whether or not you will serve on that trial. The judge’s decision is final.
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Am I allowed to take notes?
Yes. Paper and pens are provided for your use. These can only be used in the courtroom and you cannot take them home. You may take them into the jury room when you deliberate. At the end of the trial your notes will be destroyed.
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What if I feel unwell during my time on the jury?
If at any point you feel unwell, need to use the toilet or are distressed by the evidence, attract the attention of one of the court officials.
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Is there a time limit on how long we can deliberate?
You will be asked to try to reach a decision upon which you are all agreed and there is no limit to the time you can spend discussing the case. However, the judge may eventually ask for a majority decision. This is a decision agreed on by most but not all of you.