Jury service - UK

**Newryrep** · 14/02/2008, 10:45 AM

Been selected for jury service for the year starting in september, I assume any time after that you could be called ? can you decline if you have prebooked holidays eg Georgia or advise them of unsuitable dates ? - are holidays a good enough excuse ?

**paul_oshea** · 14/02/2008, 10:47 AM

you are sering YOUR country no excuse needed!*

*I'm not sure her majesty would see it that way though...

**Steve Bruce** · 14/02/2008, 11:00 AM

If you have a holiday, if you notify them, they will organise another date for you once they let you know when you will be serving.(you’ll be notified closer to the time)

Your work HAS to let you out, all your expenses will be paid eg travel, loss of wage etc.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 14/02/2008, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Newryrep

Been selected for jury service for the year starting in september, I assume any time after that you could be called ? can you decline if you have prebooked holidays eg Georgia or advise them of unsuitable dates ? - are holidays a good enough excuse ?

I don't know if holidays are a good enough excuse but it's worth a go and retain receipts. If your boss (if you have a boss) is ameniable they might be able to help. Depending on what you do they might reasonably be able to claim they can't restaff you're position at short notice due to specialist nature or similar and that they can hardly be expected to keep someone on standby for 12 months.
I was called a couple of years back (for what turned out to be a sitting of the circuit criminal court here in Limerick) and was excused on the basis that I'm the only individual in my place who does what I do. My boss filled out an appeal to be excused dealy thing for me and I was let off.

As it turned out the trial involved violent drug dealers offing each other and I've yet to get my head around what strikes me as the monumental stupidity of calling people for jury duty when they live heel to toe with these cnuts in a city the size of Limerick. it's daft.

**paul_oshea** · 14/02/2008, 12:10 PM

I was called a couple of years back (for what turned out to be a sitting of the circuit criminal court here in Limerick) and was excused on the basis that I'm the only individual in my place who does what I do. My boss filled out an appeal to be excused dealy thing for me and I was let off.

im sure theres other ppl that get paid for doing nothing in fairness Lionel!

**Lionel Ritchie** · 14/02/2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

im sure theres other ppl that get paid for doing nothing in fairness Lionel!

Not in my unique styl-ee they don't.

**Newryrep** · 14/02/2008, 1:19 PM

thanks folks for the info, knew about the excemption for being indespensible just not sure if they viewed holidays (either prebooked or not)as a good enough reason.

Will wait to see whats on the form, usually clear off at 15.00 for home matches but hope to make it to Bulgaria and Italy away and maybe cyprus if its straight in and out so dont particularily want any complicated and long fraud trials.

The cost is probably prohibiting a Dublin jury in a Limerick trial, travel, being put up in an hotel etc

**sligoman** · 14/02/2008, 7:42 PM

Get yer doctor to write you a sick cert

**Jerry The Saint** · 14/02/2008, 7:47 PM

Or just use Homer's excuse - tell the judge you're prejudiced against ALL races.

**beautifulrock** · 14/02/2008, 7:56 PM

Doing it as we speak in the OB. So far this week exams, holidays and a hospital appointment have been enough to get excused. However, all have needed to show proof.

**forza rovers** · 14/02/2008, 8:13 PM

say you know the person on trial

**NeilMcD** · 14/02/2008, 8:16 PM

Say you are racist.

**kingdom hoop** · 14/02/2008, 8:30 PM

Originally Posted by Newryrep

are holidays a good enough excuse ?

I think (not surprisingly I suppose) that'll depend on how many other Homers there are. Like, last summer I was planning a six week jaunt and was asked to present myself, but told them to fcuk off as I was heading off on my holliers, no problem at all, excused duty without having actually booked my excursion.

But in a contrasting bit of anecdotal evidence a friend's parents had to delay a holiday by a week to satisfy civic duties after (booked) holiday was deemed an unworthy excuse.

Make of that what you will. I suppose you wouldn't want to rely on the holiday excuse is the moral. But you'd imagine if you tell them this early then you won't be pencilled in for the definite and not too broad dates you will be away for, but might be for a latter date. If worst comes to worst and you have to go on the day try Forza Rovers' suggestion, or else; a solicitor friend told me before that if you come across as prim and wear your Sunday best then one of the barristers will tell you to take a hike, allowing you to race to the airport in time for your flight.

Also, I couldn't imagine you've been asked to be on standby for a full year?? Maybe it said just for the court term starting in September? Or the Michaelmas term as we call it in legal land.

**Newryrep** · 15/02/2008, 8:49 AM

Originally Posted by kingdom hoop

Also, I couldn't imagine you've been asked to be on standby for a full year?? Maybe it said just for the court term starting in September? Or the Michaelmas term as we call it in legal land.

i think it means you could be called anytime after Sept. Suppose if worst came to the worst i will turn up to court with a pillowcase on my head as suggested to get excused

**jebus** · 15/02/2008, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Say you are racist.

I hear that actually works

**lofty9** · 15/02/2008, 11:38 PM

Matthew 7:1 worked a treat for a work colleague of mine.

**Raheny Red** · 17/02/2008, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by forza rovers

say you know the person on trial

That big court case on at the moment involving a husband being accused of killing his wife was suspended and a re-selection of the jury has to take place. A friend of a friend was selected to go on it. He told his boss he needed time off. The boss soon realised that his company had installed an alarm system for the accused 10 years ago. The friend of a friend is only there a couple of months and now the whole thing is being delayed