Application for deferral and excusal

You are generally expected to serve as a juror when asked to do so. However, it is recognised that there will be occasions where it is not reasonable for a person to serve at the time for which they are summoned. In these circumstances, you must apply to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau and ask to be deferred to a later date or excused from jury service altogether.

Deferral

If you believe that you will not be able to serve on the date summoned, you must clearly state your reasons in full on the reply to your Jury Summons. You must also state what other days during the next 12 months that you will not be able to attend so that the Jury Central Summoning Bureau can rearrange your jury service to a more convenient date should they grant your application. Deferral can, by law, only be granted once, so you must make sure you include all dates to avoid.

Please remember that while the Jury Central Summoning Bureau will make every effort to ensure that your jury service begins on a convenient date, this cannot always be guaranteed.

Excusal

If you believe that you should not serve as a juror at any time during the next 12 months you must clearly state your reasons in full when replying to your Jury Summons. You should also supply evidence in the box provided on your Jury Summons form. If further evidence is needed, the Jury Central Summoning Bureau will contact you.

You should only obtain a medical certificate if the Jury Central Summoning Bureau ask you to provide one as additional evidence.

Please note that applications for excusal will only be considered for exceptional circumstances. In all other circumstances, deferral will be offered as far as is possible.

You have the right to be excused from jury service if you have served as a juror, or attended to serve on a jury, during the previous two years. This does not apply if you were a juror at a coroner's court. You can serve again if you wish, but can choose to exercise your right, if you have it, by completing Part 3 of your Summons. Please ensure you provide details of the court you attended, as your previous service will be checked.

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