Contacts

Jury Central Summoning Bureau
T. 0845 803 8003 or 020 7202 6800
website email

 Jury Assembly Area

If you would like more information, click on the questions below.
 
  • How do I complain about the way I have been treated while on jury service?
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    Please tell a member of the court staff if you want to complain about the service provided by the court. A member of staff will try to sort out your problem there and then. If you are still not happy you can talk or write to your court's Customer Service Officer or Court Manager.

  • Where can I go in the courthouse?
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    When you arrive each morning please go directly to the Jury Assembly Area, not to the courtroom or any other area in the building.

  • Can I go out at lunchtime?
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    There are a number of options for lunch, which will depend on your local circumstances.

  • What should I wear?
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    There is no strict dress code but you will be sitting down for a long time, so wear clothes you feel comfortable in. Smart casual dress is acceptable.

  • Can I use my mobile phone and computer?
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    You can use your mobile phone and computer in the Jury Assembly Area. For security reasons, no personal stereos, mobile phones, tape recorders or other electronic equipment are allowed in the courtroom. You can hand them in to the enquiry desk when you are called into court.

  • What are the smoking arrangements?
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    The Jury Assembly Area has a separate smoking area, and smoking is confined to here. Smoking is forbidden in all other areas apart from the jury retiring rooms where it is strongly discouraged.

  • How long will I be waiting?
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    You may be called to serve on a trial immediately. Or you may have to wait while a court deals with matters that don't require jurors.

  • What catering facilities are available?
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    Catering facilities will be available, and these vary from court to court. You will get a daily allowance for food and drink - you will be told how much when you arrive for service.

  • What if I need to talk to a member of the court staff in private?
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    There is a private room for you to speak to court staff

  • What if I would like somewhere to think by myself?
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    Some courts provide seperate areas for prayer and quiet thought. Contact your local court Jury Manager for further information.

  • What if I have special needs?
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    Most courts have full facilities for people with disabilities. However please contact the Jury Manager at your court to let them know in advance if you have special needs.

  • Is there somewhere I can leave my children while I'm in court?
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    There are no childminding facilities in most courts. You may claim for any extra payments you have to make to a carer or a childminder as a result of your jury service up to the maximum amounts set by law for financial loss. Collect a childminding certificate from the jury enquiry desk - your childminder needs to complete and return this. Claims are calculated on an individual basis.

  • What travel costs can I claim?
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    If you come by bus, tube or train:

    • you can claim a second-class return fare. You must take the most direct route to the court.


    Parking fees:

    • your parking fees may be paid at some courts, contact your court office to find out more about this before you pay any fees. If you use more than one kind of transport, you can claim for any combination of the type of travel listed above, provided you take the most direct route to court
  • What if I use more than one kind of transport?
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    You can claim for any combination of the type of travel listed above, provided you take the most direct route to court.

  • What if I have a travelcard?
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    The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will calculate how much of the card covers your jury service, and you will be able to claim that amount.

  • Do I need to keep receipts?
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    Yes. You must keep receipts for your travel in order to claim back your expenses. The procedure varies from court to court and you will be informed on your first day of service on the procedure for your court.

  • Can I take a taxi?
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    Always check with the court before you take a taxi. If the court agrees to cover the cost you must get a receipt from the driver.

  • Can I claim for loss of earnings?
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    You may claim for:

    • an allowance for loss of earnings
    • loss of state benefits
    • fees to carers or child-minders which you have to pay because of jury service
    • other payments which you make because of jury service


    You can claim for more than one of these but the total amount that the court can pay you can't be more than the maximum allowance for financial loss. These change from time to time and you will be informed on your first day of service.

  • How do I claim?
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    When you have confirmed your jury service, you will be sent an information pack that will contain the Certificate of Loss of Earnings. This will need to be filled in by the person who pays you, and handed in to the jury manager together with the expenses sheet you will be given on your first day of jury service. How you complete the forms depends on who pays you.

    If you are an employee:

    • If you are employed and you will not be paid while you are serving as a juror, your employer must fill in the Certificate of Loss of Earnings. The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will have sent this with your information pack after your returned your summons.
    Your employer must either:
    • stamp the Certificate with their official business stamp;
    • or attach to it an original compliment slip or sheet of headed notepaper which has the name and address of the business printed on it; or
    • provide some other evidence of the business which the court may keep.Make sure you bring the Certificate and any letter with you on your first day at court.


    If you are self-employed:

    • you will have to provide the court with some evidence that you have lost earnings: a letter from your accountant, for example. If you think you will have to pay to obtain the evidence, please get advice from the Jury Manager first


    If you are receiving benefits:

    • you should show the Certificate of Loss of Benefit to the unemployment benefit office or social security office that pays your benefit. They will tell you how jury service affects your claim. If you will lose benefit because you are doing jury service they will fill in the Certificate and give it back to you
      - bring the Certificate with you when you come to the court on your first day. You will need the Certificate to claim back the benefit you have lost


    If you are on Income Support:

    • you will continue to receive it during jury service


    If you are on Job Seekers Allowance:

    • job seekers must tell their benefit office and sign off. If you are on contribution-based Job Seeker Allowance you must have a loss of earnings certificate signed by the Benefit Office and the court will pay the benefit. If you are on income-based Job Seekers Allowance you must claim income support for the duration of the jury service
  • What if I am being credited with National Insurance contributions?
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    Please ask the Unemployment Benefit Office, or Social Security Office that awards the credits, to explain how jury service affects you.

  • What if I have other expenses?
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    Fees to carers or child-minders:

    • you may claim for any payments you make to a carer or child-minder that arise solely because of your jury service


    Other payments:

    • if you had to make other payments because of jury service you can claim for these. You must provide the court with a receipt, or a signed letter, which explains what the payments were for and which gives the amounts. You may also be asked why you had to make the payment
    • you can claim for more than one expense but the total amount that the court can pay you can't be more than the maximum allowance for financial loss. These amounts change from time to time and you will be informed on your first day of service
  • How much can I claim for loss of earnings?
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    You can only claim up to the amount you normally earn plus childcare and other expenses specifically incurred by your jury service. You will have to supply evidence to prove how much you earned and what you spent. However the total amount that the court can pay you cannot be more than the maximum allowance for financial loss.

  • When do I claim?
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    You will be given an expenses claim form on the first day. Your Jury Manager will tell you how to complete it and when to hand it in.

  • How will the court pay me?
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    The court will usually arrange for your expenses to be paid directly into your bank account. If this will be difficult for you, please talk to a court official on your first day.

  • When will the court pay me?
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    You will be paid within 5 working days of the end of your jury service. If this will be difficult for you, please talk to the Jury Manager on your first day. If you serve on a long trial, special arrangements will be made.

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