THE SUMMONS
Reply within 7 days
You must respond within 7 days, online or by post, even if you think you are disqualified. Not returning the form or not turning up can bring a fine of up to £1,000.
Check your situationWHAT GOV.UK SAYS
You've been
summoned.
Your name was picked at random from the electoral register.
Check your situation
REPLY IN7 days
A jury summons can feel daunting, but the process is well mapped out. You reply within a week, usually spend up to 10 working days at court as one of 12 jurors, and claim back lost earnings and travel. Here is what the official guidance says.
At a glance
- Reply within 7 days
- Usually up to 10 days
- Keep the room private
- A civic duty, step by step
£64.95
Daily limit for lost earnings or care
For more than 4 hours at court; £32.47 for 4 hours or less. You claim at the end of your service, within 12 months, and are usually paid 7 to 10 working days later.
FIRST 10 DAYS · GOV.UK
£129.91
Daily limit if the trial runs longer
If jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the limit rises to £129.91 a day for more than 4 hours, or £64.95 for 4 hours or less.
AFTER 10 DAYS · GOV.UK
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
Twelve people,
two working weeks.
Daily limits for loss of earnings or care costs
when you spend more than 4 hours at court.
Travel can be claimed within England and Wales, for example 31.4p a mile by car, but not accommodation. If you get benefits such as Universal Credit, they continue for the first 8 weeks.
A QUICK SITUATION CHECK
What applies
to you?
Pick a situation to see what GOV.UK guidance says. The bar shows how likely it is that you will still need to serve at some point.
Based on GOV.UK's jury service guide for England and Wales. Always follow the instructions in your own summons letter.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Reply, plan,
then serve.
These rules cover England and Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own.
General information only, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, speak to a qualified lawyer or a free advice service.
AT COURT
Usually up to 10 working days
Jurors usually sit from 10am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, as one of 12 people deciding a criminal trial. Phones stay out of the deliberation room.
Your first day
EXPENSES
Unpaid, but you can claim
Jury service is unpaid, but you can usually claim up to £64.95 a day for lost earnings or extra care costs, £5.71 for food and drink, and travel.
See the numbers
YOUR FIRST DAY
What to bring,
what to expect.
The jury manager will explain your responsibilities and the expenses when you arrive. These are the practical points from GOV.UK.
Bring the paperwork
Your summons or confirmation letter, and ID such as a passport or photo driving licence.
Allow time for security
Arrive earlier on the first day: check the time on your letter and leave extra time for court security.
Dress comfortably
There is no strict dress code. Jeans and a T-shirt are fine; avoid beachwear and head coverings unless for religious reasons.
Keep the trial private
Don't discuss it with anyone but fellow jurors in the deliberation room, and never post about it online, even afterwards.
AFTER THE VERDICT
What stays
in the room.
After the trial you can talk about what happened in the courtroom, but never about what was said in the deliberation room, even with family. Posting about a trial on social media is contempt of court and can lead to a fine or prison.
If a trial is distressing, GOV.UK suggests speaking to court staff, your GP about support, or the Samaritans. If anyone approaches you about the trial, tell a court officer, or a police officer if it happens outside court.
Questions
Questions people ask
Who can be called for jury service?
In England and Wales, people aged 18 to 75 on the day service starts who have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least 5 years without gaps since age 13. Names are chosen at random from the electoral register.
How long does jury service last?
Usually up to 10 working days. Jury staff will tell you if a trial is likely to run longer; if it is shorter, you may be asked to sit on other trials.
Do I get paid for jury service?
No, but you can claim back some costs: usually up to £64.95 a day for lost earnings or extra care costs, £5.71 for food and drink, and travel to and from court.
Can my employer refuse to let me go?
No. GOV.UK says your employer must let you have time off, though they can ask you to delay if your absence would seriously affect the business. They can choose whether to pay you.
Can I bring my phone?
Yes, into the court building and the jury assembly area, but not into the deliberation room. Most courts have lockers and free wifi.
Sources
Where the facts come from
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