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Jury service
People on the electoral register can be chosen at random for jury service. If you get a summons, you must reply. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own systems.
Official links
Show links for:
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: jury service www.gov.uk/jury-service | England, Wales |
| Scottish Courts: jurors www.scotcourts.gov.uk/coming-to-court/jurors | Scotland |
| nidirect: jury service www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/going-court/jury-service | Northern Ireland |
Step by step
- In England and Wales, reply to the summons within 7 days, online or by post, even if you think you are not eligible.
- Check eligibility: aged 18 to 75, registered to vote and living in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least 5 years since age 13. Some people are disqualified, for example because of certain sentences.
- If the dates are a problem, ask in your reply to change them or to be excused.
- Bring your summons or confirmation letter on the first day. Service usually lasts up to 10 working days.
- You are not paid, but you can claim for lost earnings and some expenses such as travel.
What you need
- Your jury summons (citation in Scotland, jury notice in Northern Ireland)
- Evidence of lost earnings and expenses if you want to claim them
Common mistakes
- Ignoring the summons. You can be fined for not replying or not turning up.
- Not replying because you think you are disqualified. You must still respond.