Jury service
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1. How jury service works
If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.
Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.
You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.
You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.
There are different rules for jury service in Scotland and jury service in Northern Ireland.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you’ve received a jury summons, you need to attend on the day you’ve been summoned or instructed to.
Tell the court if you feel unwell, or have symptoms of COVID-19 or another respiratory infection.
Read more about the measures in place when going to a court or doing jury service.
How long jury service lasts
Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.
If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.
You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.
You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.
What you can claim
You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.
Find out what you can claim:
2. What you can claim if you’re an employee
You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:
- up to £64.95 to help cover your loss of earnings and the cost of any care or childcare outside of your usual arrangements
- £5.71 for food and drink
- the cost of travel to and from court
You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.
Taking time off work
Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.
Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.
Problems with your employer
If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.
If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.
Getting paid during jury service
Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.
If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.
If you get benefits or financial support
Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.
You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.
What you can claim
There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.
Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs
How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.
For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:
- £64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
- £32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:
- £129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
- £64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
Travel and parking costs
How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.
| How you travel to court | The court will pay |
|---|---|
| Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket |
| Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare) |
| Bicycle | 9.6p per mile |
| Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile |
| Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking |
| Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile |
| Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile |
| Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi |
Food and drink
How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.
| Time spent each day | The court will pay up to |
|---|---|
| Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day |
| Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day |
Estimate your expenses
3. What you can claim if you’re self-employed
You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:
- up to £64.95 to help cover your loss of earnings and the cost of any care or childcare outside of your usual arrangements
- £5.71 for food and drink
- the cost of travel to and from court
You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.
You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.
If you get benefits or financial support
Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.
You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.
What you can claim
There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.
Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs
How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.
For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:
- £64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
- £32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:
- £129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
- £64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
Travel and parking costs
How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.
| How you travel to court | The court will pay |
|---|---|
| Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket |
| Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare) |
| Bicycle | 9.6p per mile |
| Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile |
| Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking |
| Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile |
| Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile |
| Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi |
Food and drink
How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.
| Time spent each day | The court will pay up to |
|---|---|
| Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day |
| Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day |
Estimate your expenses
4. What you can claim if you're not working
You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:
- up to £64.95 to help cover your loss of earnings and the cost of any care or childcare outside of your usual arrangements
- £5.71 for food and drink
- the cost of travel to and from court
You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.
You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.
If you get benefits or financial support
Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.
You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.
What you can claim
There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.
Childcare and other care costs if you are not working
How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.
For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:
- £64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
- £32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:
- £129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court
- £64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court
Travel and parking costs
How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.
| How you travel to court | The court will pay |
|---|---|
| Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket |
| Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare) |
| Bicycle | 9.6p per mile |
| Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile |
| Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking |
| Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile |
| Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile |
| Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi |
Food and drink
How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.
| Time spent each day | The court will pay up to |
|---|---|
| Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day |
| Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day |
Estimate your expenses
5. Ask to change the date or be excused
If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.
Ask to change the date of your jury service
You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:
- you’re having an operation
- you’re sitting an exam
- your employer will not give you time off work
- you have a holiday booked
- you’re a new parent
You can only ask to change the date once.
To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.
Ask to be excused from jury service
If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:
- you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service
- you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability
- you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months
You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.
If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.
To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.
If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.
If you disagree with the decision
You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:
- why you disagree with the decision
- your juror number (this is on your summons letter)
- your name and address
- your date of birth
- the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to
- the dates of your jury service
Head of the Jury Central Summoning Bureau
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Jury Central Summoning Bureau
Phoenix House
Bradford
BD3 7BH
Get help
Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.
Jury Central Summoning Bureau
jurysummoning@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 1024
Welsh language telephone: 0300 303 5173
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 3pm
Find out about call charges
6. Request reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability or physical or mental health condition, courts can make reasonable adjustments to help you when serving on a jury.
Adjustments can include:
-
ramps
-
access to accessible toilets
-
a hearing loop
-
guidance in alternative formats, such as large print, audio or braille
-
a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter
Request the help you’ll need when you reply to your jury summons.
If you’d like to discuss your needs or arrange a visit to the court, you can contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau up to a week before your jury service begins.
Email: jurysummoning@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 1024
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm
Friday, 9am to 3pm
Find out about call charges
Welsh language: 0300 303 5173
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm
Friday, 9am to 3pm
Find out about call charges
If your jury service begins in less than a week, you should contact the court to discuss adjustments.
If you’re already at court for jury service and need adjustments, speak to the jury officer.
7. Respond to the summons
You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.
You can either:
- reply to the jury summons online
- complete and return the form by post
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.
After you respond
The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.
If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.
You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.
Get help
Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.
The Jury Central Summoning Bureau may be able to change the location of your jury service if you’ve been summoned to a court far from where you live. For example, if you’ve recently moved house or if you’re at university and you’ve been summoned to a court near your family home.
Jury Central Summoning Bureau
jurysummoning@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 1024
Welsh language telephone: 0300 303 5173
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 3pm
Find out about call charges
Contact the court if you:
- need directions
- have a question about your expenses claim
8. Going to court as a juror
On your first day, you should bring:
- your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter
- some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status
If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:
- your birth certificate
- your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature
- your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature
- 3 utility bills showing your name and address
Laptops, tablets and mobile phones
You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.
You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.
There is free wifi in most courts.
What to wear
There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.
You cannot wear:
- very casual clothing, such as beachwear
- anything on your head, unless it is for religious reasons
What will happen when you arrive at court
Allow extra time to go through security at court.
Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:
- tell you about jury service
- explain your responsibilities
- tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them
9. Discussing the trial
Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.
After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.
Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.
If anyone approaches you about the trial
Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.
If you find the trial distressing
You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.
For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.
10. How to claim expenses
Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.
You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.
The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.
Food, drink and travel expenses
Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.
Loss of earnings
What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.
If you’re an employee
Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.
If you’re self-employed
Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.
Care and childcare expenses
You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.
If you’re using a registered childminder, they need to write their Ofsted number on the form. If a family member or friend is looking after your children, they must write a letter saying how many hours they’ve cared for your child.
Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.
Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.
Questions about expenses
Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.