FAQs about Juror Summoning

If you would like more information regarding jury service, click on the questions below.
 
  • Why do I have to do it?
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    The jury play an important part in a trial. It is their task to consider the evidence presented to them and reach a verdict of guilty or not guilty. The jury consists of 12 members of the public selected at random. Receiving a summons means you are legally required to attend court. Please don't be worried by this - once most people get over the initial concern, they find jury service interesting and rewarding.

  • Have I done something wrong?
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    No! You are simply being asked to play an important role in the criminal justice system.

  • Why was I picked?
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    Everyone between 18 and 70 years who is on the electoral register can be called for jury service. People are chosen at random from the electoral register.

  • Do I have to serve?
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    If you are chosen and you qualify for jury service then you are legally obliged to attend.

    If the date you have been summoned for is not convenient you can apply to postpone your service. This is called deferring. There are some circumstances when you may apply to be excused from jury service.

  • Can someone else take my place?
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    No. A summons is only for the person named on the summons. It cannot be transferred to anyone else.

  • How long will jury service last?
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    It usually lasts for 10 working days. If a trial is likely to last longer you will be asked at the court if this would be difficult for you.

  • Will I be paid?
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    Jury service is a public duty and it is unpaid. However, if you suffer financial loss as a result you can claim an allowance, up to maximum amounts set by law. You are also entitled to claim reasonable travel costs and a daily allowance for meals and refreshments.

  • Who can I tell that I am serving on jury service?
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    You can tell anyone, but please remember to tell your employer, child carer and anyone else who might be affected by your absence.

  • Where will my jury service take place?
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    It will take place in the Crown Court to which you have been summoned, though in certain circumstances you may be moved from one court to another. Jurors are occasionally needed in civil courts, the High Court and the County Court. This walkthrough is based in a Crown Court - if you are selected to serve at a civil court you will be told about the differences between Crown and civil courts when you attend.

  • How do I get there?
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    Details of how to get to the Court, public transport and parking will be sent to you before your service.

  • Do I qualify for Jury Service?
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    Most people qualify, but there may be reasons that disqualify you or make you unsuitable.

    Age

    You don't qualify if you are under 18 or over 70 on the date you are due to start your jury service.

    Bail and conviction

    You do not qualify for jury service:

    • if you are currently on bail in criminal proceedings
    • if you have ever been sentenced:
      • to imprisonment for life;
      • to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure or during the pleasure of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland;
      • to imprisonment for public protection or detention for public protection;
      • to an extended sentence under section 227 or 228 of the Criminal Justice Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995; or
      • to imprisonment or youth custody for 5 years or more.
    • if you have in the past 10 years:
      • in the UK or the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man -
        • served any part of a sentence of imprisonment, or detention; or
        • had passed on you a suspended sentence of imprisonment or an order for detention.
      • in England and Wales -
        • had made in respect of you a community order under section 177 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, a community rehabilitation order, a community punishment order, a community punishment and rehabilitation order, a drug treatment and testing order or a drug abstinence order; or
        • had made in respect of you any corresponding order under the law of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands.

    Mental Disorders/Mental Health Problems

    If you are in any doubt whether the following list applies to you, please talk to your doctor or ask a family member, friend or neighbour to explain it to you.

    You don't qualify for jury service:

    • if you suffer from or have suffered from a mental disorder/mental health problem and because of that condition:
    • you are currently a resident in a hospital or other similar institution
    • or you regularly visit a medical practitioner for treatment
    • if you are in guardianship under section 7 of the Mental Health Act 1983
    • if a judge has decided that you are not capable of managing and administering your property or affairs because of mental disorder/mental health problem

    Residence

    You are not qualified for jury service unless you have lived in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for a total of at least 5 years since the age of 13 and are eligible to vote in parliamentary or local authority elections.

  • What is the difference between being deferred and excused?
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    Jury service may seem inconvenient for many of us, but some people have specific problems that make it very difficult for them to attend.

    If you have a problem that makes it difficult for you to attend on the date you have been summoned but you would be able to attend on a date within the next 12 months you may ask the Jury Summoning Officer to:

    • postpone you service. This is called deferral. If you are deferred you will be given a new date to attend that is convenient to you within the next 12 months. Jury service may be deferred once only.

    If you have a problem that makes is difficult for you to attend for jury service at any time within the next 12 months you may ask the Jury Summoning Officer to:

    • excuse you from jury service on this occasion. You will only be excused if the Jury Summoning Officer is satisfied that it isn't reasonable to expect you to do jury service during the next year. If you are excused, your name may still be called at random again from the electoral register, and you will have to go through the same process of accepting, deferring or asking to be excused.
  • For what reasons can I be excused as of right?
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    Previous jury service

    You may be excused if you have been on jury service in the past 2 years. This does not apply if you were a juror at a coroner's court. You can also be excused if you have been a juror and the court excused you for a period that has not yet ended.

    The Forces

    You may be excused if you are a full-time member of:

    • Her Majesty's naval, military, or air forces
    and if your commanding officer certifies to the Jury Summoning Officer that your absence would prejudice the efficiency of the service.

    Other reasons

    You may have personal reasons why you want to be excused. If so, you need to supply the Jury Central Summoning Bureau with information, in writing, why you can't attend within the next year.

  • For what reasons can I apply to be deferred?
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    You can ask to be deferred if you have:

    • a hospital appointment or operation that you have been waiting for, or if you are recovering from an operation
    • an important family event such as a wedding or a holiday already booked and paid for


    These may prevent you from serving at the time you are summoned, but won't prevent you serving within the next year.

    If you give a reason to be deferred you will be asked to give all other dates in the next year when you will not be able to serve, so that the Jury Central Summoning Bureau can defer you to a date which is convenient to you.

  • How do I apply to be deferred or ask to be excused?
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    Complete the form and fill in the appropriate box to either apply to defer your summons or to ask to be excused.

    When you apply to defer, the Jury Central Summoning Bureau will ask you for details of when in the next year you will not be able to attend. The Jury Central Summoning Bureau We will then send you a letter confirming your deferral, and giving you a new date for your jury service. You cannot defer twice; you must attend on the second occasion.

    If the Jury Central Summoning Bureau excuses you from service, you will receive a letter confirming that you are excused. This applies only to this summons. You may be selected again at random for jury service, and you will have to go through the same process of accepting, deferring or asking to be excused.

    If the Jury Central Summoning Bureau decides your reasons for being excused are not appropriate, you will receive a letter telling you this, and you will be expected to turn up at court on the date originally provided. If you wish to appeal, you can do so before a judge.

  • What if I defer, then I can't make my second deferred time?
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    If something beyond your control happens which conflicts with your second summons, please contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau as soon as possible on:

    • 0845 3555567
  • I am very busy at work - can I be deferred or excused?
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    Work commitments can be hard to break, but they are not a valid reason for being excused from jury service. You can ask to be deferred to a later date when you may be less busy. The application must come from you and not your employer. Your employer may send a letter in support of your application.

  • How do I reply?
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    You should reply by completing pages 3 and 4 of your summons and returning them to the Central Summoning Bureau in the pre-paid envelope provided within 7 days of receiving the summons.

  • What happens after I've returned my summons form?
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    If you have confirmed that you are able to serve at the time you have been summoned, the Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you details of how to get to the court and what to expect once you're there. If you have asked to be deferred or excused you will receive confirmation of whether your reasons have been accepted. The Jury Central Summoning Bureau try to reply as promptly as possible but please allow up to 10 days after sending your letter.

  • What happens if I don't answer the summons?
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    You may have to pay a fine set by the judge if:

    • you do not reply to the summons
    • you do not attend for jury service without good reason
    • you are not available to be a juror when your name is called
    • you are not fit to be a juror because of your use of drink or drugs
  • What happens if my summons went to a different address?
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    If you have moved home and there has been a delay in receiving your summons, don't worry; simply reply within seven days of receiving it. You will still be expected to serve on a jury, but your service may be moved to a Crown Court nearer your new home.

  • Who do I contact if I have questions?
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    In the first instance follow the walkthrough on this website or the booklet sent with your summons, as these contain information that may answer your questions. More information about Her Majesty's Court Service in general can be found at:

    If you have further questions, you can contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau on 0845 3555567 up to one week before your jury service is due to begin. After that time you must contact the Jury Manager of the Crown Court you have been asked to attend, whose number will be shown on the local information leaflet sent to you with the letter confirming your service.

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