Do I have to do jury service?

Yes. Jury service is a public duty. If you are called for Jury Service then unless you are disqualified, have the right to be excused or have a valid reason for discretionary excusal, then you must serve.  Only the Court that has asked you to serve can agree your ‘excusal’.

All Jurors are selected at random by computer from the electoral register. Everyone on the electoral register from the ages of 18 to 69 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.

Courts can pay for loss of earnings, travel costs and a subsistence rate during jury service.

An employee can make a complaint to an employment tribunal if their employer mistreats them e.g. they are dismissed or suffer detriment for taking time off for jury service.

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If you work in the UK Media Industries and have a question about this or any other topic, please e-mail us at workline@freelanceadvisor.co.uk

Please note that the advice given on this website and by our Advisors is guidance only and cannot be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law. It can also not be seen as specific advice for individual cases. Please also note that there are differences in legislation in Northern Ireland.