Jury Service UK

Jury Service UK

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Understanding Jury Service

The Jury Selection Process

Employer Obligations and Employee Rights

Balancing Work and Jury Duty

When Employees Return from Jury Service

Frequently Asked Questions About Jury Duty in the UK

A guide to Jury Service (UK): for employers and employees

A guide to Jury Service (UK): for employers and employees

Understanding Jury Service

According to official statistics, adults in England and Wales have a 35% chance of being called for jury service during their lifetime. If you're an employer, this means it's highly likely that one of your employees will receive a jury summons at some point, and it's crucial to be prepared for this civic duty.

In this guide, we'll cover everything both employers and employees need to know about jury duty, including eligibility requirements, the jury selection process, and how to manage workplace responsibilities during this legal obligation.

Jury service is a civic duty where members of the public are randomly selected to sit on a jury in court cases. Each jury consists of 12 jurors who are responsible for deciding whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty in criminal trials.

How Long Does Jury Service Last?

Jury service typically lasts for 10 working days (two weeks), though some cases may require longer commitments depending on their complexity.

Who Is Eligible for Jury Service in the UK?

Most people aged 18-70 who are registered on the electoral register can be called for jury service. However, certain individuals are not eligible, including:

  • People currently on bail in criminal proceedings

  • People previously sentenced to prison for five years or more

  • People who have been imprisoned within the last 10 years

For most employers, this means the majority of your workforce is likely eligible for jury service.

The Jury Selection Process

Understanding the jury selection process helps both employers and employees prepare for this civic duty and legal obligation.

Receiving a Jury Summons

When called for jury duty, individuals receive a postal jury summons specifying when they must attend court. Potential jurors typically receive about 10 days' notice to make necessary arrangements.

As an employer, encourage employees to notify you immediately upon receiving a jury summons to allow adequate preparation time for their absence and to understand your jury duty policy.

Responding to the Summons

The jury summons includes a 'Reply to the Jury summons' form that must be completed and returned by post or online within 10 days of receipt.

While a jury summons is generally mandatory, individuals may request to delay their service for up to one year in specific circumstances:

  • Medical procedures or operations

  • Scheduled examinations

  • Pre-booked holidays

  • New parent status

Employers can also request delays if employee absence would seriously impact business operations during a critical business period. However, date changes can only be requested once per 12-month period, and alternative availability dates must be provided.

Jury Exemptions

In certain cases, complete exemptions from jury duty may be granted:

  • Serious illness or disability preventing service

  • Full-time caring responsibilities for someone with serious illness or disability

  • New parent status with inability to serve within the next 12-month period

Understanding the jury selection process helps both employers and employees prepare for this civic duty and legal obligation.

Receiving a Jury Summons

When called for jury duty, individuals receive a postal jury summons specifying when they must attend court. Potential jurors typically receive about 10 days' notice to make necessary arrangements.

As an employer, encourage employees to notify you immediately upon receiving a jury summons to allow adequate preparation time for their absence and to understand your jury duty policy.

Responding to the Summons

The jury summons includes a 'Reply to the Jury summons' form that must be completed and returned by post or online within 10 days of receipt.

While a jury summons is generally mandatory, individuals may request to delay their service for up to one year in specific circumstances:

  • Medical procedures or operations

  • Scheduled examinations

  • Pre-booked holidays

  • New parent status

Employers can also request delays if employee absence would seriously impact business operations during a critical business period. However, date changes can only be requested once per 12-month period, and alternative availability dates must be provided.

Jury Exemptions

In certain cases, complete exemptions from jury duty may be granted:

  • Serious illness or disability preventing service

  • Full-time caring responsibilities for someone with serious illness or disability

  • New parent status with inability to serve within the next 12-month period

Employer Obligations and Employee Rights

When employees receive a jury summons, they're legally required to make every effort to attend court, even if it means missing work. Understanding employer obligations and employee rights is crucial for managing this public duty effectively.

Time Off for Jury Service

UK employers cannot prevent employees from taking employee time off for jury service when summoned. However, if employee absence would seriously impact business operations during a busy period, employers can request service delays.

To request delays, employers must provide letters explaining business impact. Since courts only accept correspondence from potential jurors themselves, employees must submit these letters with their response forms.

Compensation and Expenses

Employers are not legally required to pay employees during jury service, though many choose to do so as goodwill gestures. When employers don't provide payment during jury service, employees can claim loss of earnings allowances from the court:

  • £64.95 per day for more than four hours in court

  • £32.47 for four hours or less in court

Jurors also receive an allowance for food and drink (£5.71 daily) plus travel expenses reimbursement. Some employers choose to supplement the loss of earnings allowance to maintain full salary levels.

Job Security and Anti-Discrimination

It's illegal to dismiss employees for jury service or discriminate against them in any way. Violations can result in unfair dismissal claims or employment tribunal proceedings.

When employees receive a jury summons, they're legally required to make every effort to attend court, even if it means missing work. Understanding employer obligations and employee rights is crucial for managing this public duty effectively.

Time Off for Jury Service

UK employers cannot prevent employees from taking employee time off for jury service when summoned. However, if employee absence would seriously impact business operations during a busy period, employers can request service delays.

To request delays, employers must provide letters explaining business impact. Since courts only accept correspondence from potential jurors themselves, employees must submit these letters with their response forms.

Compensation and Expenses

Employers are not legally required to pay employees during jury service, though many choose to do so as goodwill gestures. When employers don't provide payment during jury service, employees can claim loss of earnings allowances from the court:

  • £64.95 per day for more than four hours in court

  • £32.47 for four hours or less in court

Jurors also receive an allowance for food and drink (£5.71 daily) plus travel expenses reimbursement. Some employers choose to supplement the loss of earnings allowance to maintain full salary levels.

Job Security and Anti-Discrimination

It's illegal to dismiss employees for jury service or discriminate against them in any way. Violations can result in unfair dismissal claims or employment tribunal proceedings.

Balancing Work and Jury Duty

Jury duty typically requires two-week absences from work, creating stress for both employees during jury service and employers. Here are strategies to minimize workplace impact:

For Employers

While jurors are generally required to be available 10am-5:30pm Monday through Friday, jury duty often involves downtime when jurors aren't needed at court.

Employers must decide whether to require employees to work during court-free periods. Consider that jury duty can be emotionally taxing, making full days off potentially beneficial.

During employee absences:

  • Redistribute work among remaining staff

  • Hire cover staff or temporary replacements

  • Pause major projects involving absent employees

  • Adjust deadlines to reduce employee stress

For Employees

When called for jury service:

  • Set an office email reply informing colleagues of absence

  • Stay connected with managers during downtime for work updates

  • Avoid excessive stress about missed work, as jury duty itself can be emotionally demanding

Jury duty typically requires two-week absences from work, creating stress for both employees during jury service and employers. Here are strategies to minimize workplace impact:

For Employers

While jurors are generally required to be available 10am-5:30pm Monday through Friday, jury duty often involves downtime when jurors aren't needed at court.

Employers must decide whether to require employees to work during court-free periods. Consider that jury duty can be emotionally taxing, making full days off potentially beneficial.

During employee absences:

  • Redistribute work among remaining staff

  • Hire cover staff or temporary replacements

  • Pause major projects involving absent employees

  • Adjust deadlines to reduce employee stress

For Employees

When called for jury service:

  • Set an office email reply informing colleagues of absence

  • Stay connected with managers during downtime for work updates

  • Avoid excessive stress about missed work, as jury duty itself can be emotionally demanding

Jury duty typically requires two-week absences from work, creating stress for both employees during jury service and employers. Here are strategies to minimize workplace impact:

For Employers

While jurors are generally required to be available 10am-5:30pm Monday through Friday, jury duty often involves downtime when jurors aren't needed at court.

Employers must decide whether to require employees to work during court-free periods. Consider that jury duty can be emotionally taxing, making full days off potentially beneficial.

During employee absences:

  • Redistribute work among remaining staff

  • Hire cover staff or temporary replacements

  • Pause major projects involving absent employees

  • Adjust deadlines to reduce employee stress

For Employees

When called for jury service:

  • Set an office email reply informing colleagues of absence

  • Stay connected with managers during downtime for work updates

  • Avoid excessive stress about missed work, as jury duty itself can be emotionally demanding

Jury duty typically requires two-week absences from work, creating stress for both employees during jury service and employers. Here are strategies to minimize workplace impact:

For Employers

While jurors are generally required to be available 10am-5:30pm Monday through Friday, jury duty often involves downtime when jurors aren't needed at court.

Employers must decide whether to require employees to work during court-free periods. Consider that jury duty can be emotionally taxing, making full days off potentially beneficial.

During employee absences:

  • Redistribute work among remaining staff

  • Hire cover staff or temporary replacements

  • Pause major projects involving absent employees

  • Adjust deadlines to reduce employee stress

For Employees

When called for jury service:

  • Set an office email reply informing colleagues of absence

  • Stay connected with managers during downtime for work updates

  • Avoid excessive stress about missed work, as jury duty itself can be emotionally demanding

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When Employees Return from Jury Service

After completing jury service, employees return to normal work schedules. Employers should organize one-on-one meetings between returning employees and their managers to provide updates on activities during their absence.

Tax Considerations

Employees unpaid during jury service may accumulate unused Personal Allowance. Payroll systems will automatically calculate any tax refund or reduced tax obligations on subsequent payslips.

After completing jury service, employees return to normal work schedules. Employers should organize one-on-one meetings between returning employees and their managers to provide updates on activities during their absence.

Tax Considerations

Employees unpaid during jury service may accumulate unused Personal Allowance. Payroll systems will automatically calculate any tax refund or reduced tax obligations on subsequent payslips.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jury Duty in the UK

Can I Delay Jury Service?

You can request to delay jury service once per 12-month period with valid reasons like new parent status, holidays, or examinations. Employers can also request delays with business impact documentation.

What If I Become Sick During Jury Service?

Notify the court immediately if illness prevents completing jury service. If proceedings haven't started, you may delay service or receive an exemption from jury duty. Medical documentation may be required.

How Are Self-Employed Individuals Affected?

Self-employed individuals can claim loss of income allowances during jury duty, plus allowances for food, drink, and travel costs like all jurors.

Building an Effective Jury Duty Policy

Since employees may be absent for at least two weeks with minimal notice when they receive an unexpected jury summons, establish clear jury duty policies before situations arise.

Your jury duty policy should address:

  • Whether you'll continue paying employees during jury service

  • Loss of earnings allowance supplements if not paying full salary

  • Expectations for work during court-free periods

  • Coverage arrangements for employee responsibilities during absence

  • Communication procedures when employees receive a jury summons

Reassure employees that jury service is recognized as a civic duty and legal obligation that won't impact career prospects.

Streamlining Absence Management with Modern Technology

Managing jury service alongside other absence types requires robust systems to ensure operational continuity and compliance with employee rights.

Humaans provides comprehensive absence management solutions:

Our integrated platform enables organizations to:

  • Centralized Absence Tracking: Monitor all absence types including jury service with complete visibility

  • Automated Notifications: Alert managers when employees submit jury service notifications

  • Policy Management: Maintain clear jury duty policies accessible to all employees

By centralizing jury service management, Humaans helps organizations handle civic duty obligations professionally while maintaining operational effectiveness and ensuring compliance with employer obligations.

Ready to streamline your absence management processes? Connect with Humaans to discover how our platform can help you manage jury service and other absence types with confidence and compliance.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about jury service in the UK and should not be considered legal advice. Specific situations may require professional legal consultation. Always refer to current official government guidance for the most up-to-date requirements and procedures.

Additional Resources

Check out these official resources to learn more about jury service: 

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