Got a jury summons? What it means and what to do

An official envelope saying “jury summons” has arrived — this is a summons to serve as a juror. It is neither a mistake nor spam: jury service in Britain is a civic duty and is taken seriously. Here is who gets called, whether you can defer or be excused, and what it means for your job and money.

Who is called, and how

Jurors are chosen at random by the Jury Central Summoning Bureau from the electoral register. A summons can go to anyone aged 18 to 75 who is on the electoral register and has lived in Britain for at least five years since the age of 13. Many recent arrivals do not meet these conditions — if you have never been called, that is normal.

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It is a duty: you must respond within 7 days

You must reply to the summons within 7 days — online or by post — to confirm, defer or give a reason to be excused. You cannot ignore it: failing to attend without good reason can mean a fine of up to £1,000. Service usually lasts about 10 working days, though a long trial can run on.

Can you defer or not attend

Yes, but by the rules. You may defer once within 12 months for a good reason — a pre-booked holiday, an operation, exams, important work commitments: you give new suitable dates in your reply. Some people cannot serve at all (for example with certain convictions, those on bail, people under the Mental Health Act). You may also be excused on medical grounds or if you served recently. You need enough English to follow the trial; if your English is not sufficient, you can say so and ask to be excused.

Work and money

Your employer must let you go and cannot dismiss you for it, but need not pay your wages for those days. You can, however, claim from the court: travel, a food allowance and loss of earnings — up to about £64.95 a day for the first 10 days (more after that). You will need a certificate from your employer for the loss-of-earnings claim. Exact amounts and forms are on gov.uk.

What happens at court

You attend the court building; juries are formed from those called. You may not end up on a trial — jurors sometimes wait and are released. If chosen, you and eleven others hear the case and reach a verdict. Everything said in the deliberation room is strictly confidential. There is no need to worry: it is a normal, respected part of British life, and court staff talk newcomers through every step.