Jury Summons

[3fold media]

I know this has been brought up a few times before, but wondering if anyone has had any recent experience with it.

I've just received a jury summons, the issue I have is that I run a small company where I am the only employee. Having to shut for up to 2 weeks will have a detrimental effect for both my business and my family. I have 700+ clients that are used to having daily access to support by phone or email, and if I'm away it could potentially result in an enormous loss of income.

Is this grounds to be excused?

 

[sarky]

I haven't experience (while being self-employed) but it something I worry about. The Telegraph's article "What are your options if summoned to jury duty?" might help.

If you do have to go, I'd suggest you wear a sombre suit, regimental tie, highly polished black shoes and carry a copy of the Daily Mail. I think the accused can dismiss up to 3 potential jurors.

Best of luck.

 

[Newchodge]

I haven't experience (while being self-employed) but it something I worry about. The Telegraph's article "What are your options if summoned to jury duty?" might help.

If you do have to go, I'd suggest you wear a sombre suit, regimental tie, highly polished black shoes and carry a copy of the Daily Mail. I think the accused can dismiss up to 3 potential jurors.

Best of luck.

the accused can't dismiss any jurors unless they are known to each other.

Bear in mind jury service can last more than 2 weeks, depending on the case that you get. Imagine being a juror who gets allocated to a case that lasts 6 months!

 

[3fold media]

If you do have to go, I'd suggest you wear a sombre suit, regimental tie, highly polished black shoes and carry a copy of the Daily Mail.

You mean my normally daily attire!

 

[3fold media]

the accused can't dismiss any jurors unless they are known to each other.

Bear in mind jury service can last more than 2 weeks, depending on the case that you get. Imagine being a juror who gets allocated to a case that lasts 6 months!

Yes I got called for jury service 20 years ago.

Day 1 - sat around all day and sent home at 2pm.

Day 2 - we all got called in and told the next case would be a minimum of 2 months and was ask who could do that length (I was 19, so it didn't matter then if I was away from work), and then excused for the rest of the day.

Day 3 - sat around all day and sent home at 1pm.

Day 4 - case thrown out, excused from service altogether and sent home at 11am.

Back then it wasn't an issue, now its different!

 

[Mr D]

Used to be able to refuse.
Whether they accept reasons is another matter. These days I refuse on medical grounds but have refused on work grounds about 6 years ago.

 

[Newchodge]

When I was called I completed the form and included in the relevant question that I suffered from depression which was well controlled with medication, and had been for 10 years. I was told I wasn't suitable for jury service. That made me quite depressed!

 

[Emma Fryer]

I have refused on work grounds quite some years ago and it was granted.

 

[japancool]

Ring them up and say "I speak English, I learn it from a book".

 

[3fold media]

When I was called I completed the form and included in the relevant question that I suffered from depression which was well controlled with medication, and had been for 10 years. I was told I wasn't suitable for jury service. That made me quite depressed!

Unfortunately even though I have suffered from mental health issues in the past (going back 15+ years now - was receiving treatment for several years and was an hospital outpatient) I am now classed as "better" by health professionals and do not fall into either the Mental Health Act 1983 or Mental Capacity Act 2005.

 

[3fold media]

I have refused on work grounds quite some years ago and it was granted.

I will put on the form that I want to be excused on work grounds and hope that it gets granted

 

[Ashley_Price]

The last thing I court wants to hear is that you may be unbiased. When I got sent a summons I replied saying that while I was happy to do it, I felt the fact my father-in-law was a policeman, my friends are police officers, I have an uncle who is a prison officer, I cannot confirm to being completely impartial. Never heard another word from them.

 

[Talay]

I too was asked some years ago and I just said I could not do it.

I was then asked again and I said I could not do it.

I have never been asked since.

When I am old and retired I will want to do it but will likely never be asked.

Hang the lot I say !

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I would just tell them I'm unstable, crazy, confused ,panicked, bad listener, nut case ,round the twist and a general liability
At least one of these things must be wrong

 

[BustersDogs]

I was asked the last two years running, and although I wouldn't have minded doing it, the timing was awful - my busiest month of the year with really short notice. The next year the timing was better, but again, notice was so short for a business owner. I asked on work grounds, but also complained I had an autistic son and there's no childminders for 22 year olds.

He's actually not that bad, but I didn't think running a business would get me out of it alone. I am just waiting for this year's summons now. I think they start calling when the child benefit stops!

 

[ADW]

You should have the relevant info supplied that states acceptable grounds for saying bog off. If the risk to the business is there where customers can be lost causing ongoing financial hardship which could lead to loss of house, marriage breaking up etc. , then you will be excused. Just make it very clear that your the sole worker and not being available for two weeks could result in irreparable damage and ongoing hardship. They aren't going to risk having you there if that is the case.

 

[sarky]

the accused can't dismiss any jurors unless they are known to each other.

It is possible for the defence (or prosecution) to "challenge" a juror and they then have to stand down. (Saucy: cps.gov.uk.)

 

[Newchodge]

It is possible for the defence (or prosecution) to "challenge" a juror and they then have to stand down. (Saucy: cps.gov.uk.)

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/h_to_k/jury_vetting/#an06 As it says: r either the prosecution or the defence to challenge for cause; the defendant does not have the right to challenge jurors as stated above. The defence can challenge a juror for cause - for example you were bullied by the defendant at school. There is no challenge available because someone appears like a right wing fascist. that is not cause.

 

[Mr D]

If they will not accept whatever reason I would simply refuse to be part of it.
Not worth the cost.

 

[Newchodge]

Refusing to do jury service when called is a criminal offence. The cost of that is higher.

OP I understand your concern about jury service, and you may well be excused doing that if you have a valid reason. However, have you considered the big red bus issue? What happens to your business if you step in front of a big red bus and are unable to work for a month? You really need contingency plans now, before it happens.

 

[Mr D]

What happens when a juror collapses in a trial and has to be carted off by ambulance? Still a criminal offence? How about if the juror dies during the trial? Still a criminal offence?
The cost of doing is higher than the cost of not doing jury service.

 

[STDFR33]

What happens when a juror collapses in a trial and has to be carted off by ambulance? Still a criminal offence? How about if the juror dies during the trial? Still a criminal offence?
The cost of doing is higher than the cost of not doing jury service.

Intentionally being ridiculous does nothing for the thread.

 

[Mr D]

I'm not being ridiculous. There are people who get called for jury service that cannot, under any circumstances, do it.
At risk of their own health.
I have heard of people who were required to go. Despite not being able to get out of the house on 50% of the time. Or not managing a full day even sat down.

 

[Newchodge]

I'm not being ridiculous. There are people who get called for jury service that cannot, under any circumstances, do it.
At risk of their own health.
I have heard of people who were required to go. Despite not being able to get out of the house on 50% of the time. Or not managing a full day even sat down.

Those people have a valid reason for being excused, providing they explain their situation. You are being ridiculous.

 

[Mr D]

Yes there are likely several hundred thousand of us.
There are times the reason is not accepted. Still does not get the person to attend.

 

[sirearl]

I would just tell them I'm unstable, crazy, confused ,panicked, bad listener, nut case ,round the twist and a general liability
At least one of these things must be wrong

Always best to tell the truth.

 

[Pish_Pash]

To the Op, it happened to me...I wrote to them - they deferred a year.

They did come back after a year (but by that time I was able to have my missus in place & able to do my job for a week). I enjoyed the jury service in the end....a lot of waiting around though (you may well be able to do a lot of work during this waiting period - I took my laptop in)

If you do have to go, I'd suggest you wear a sombre suit, regimental tie, highly polished black shoes and carry a copy of the Daily Mail. I think the accused can dismiss up to 3 potential jurors.

I tried that one....I was the only one dressed formally in the whole of the jury pool - it didn't work & I felt a a right dick.

 

[paulears]

I phoned them up, explained that I was self-employed and although I really want to do jury service, how do a claim for my lost income, bearing in mind that means I just say no to work that comes in - and have no way of predicting what the losses will be. They explain that you cannot claim for work unless you kind of accept the work, get a contract, then cancel it. They understood this was pretty impossible for the self-employed if you want to keep your clients, and just took me off the list. Earning a living they accept does come first, and while an employer has to give you time off with or without pay, which you then recover - it doesn't work for others.

Be honest, tell them the problem, and I'm sure they will let you off - after all, who wants a grumpy reluctant jury member? This happens all the time. They can defer it for later, or knock you off the list - which I think is what they did to me as I've never had another approach.