So imagine my surprise(not the good kind)when this letter landed on my doormat. I didn't touch it for 2 days as I sorta quarantine all my post, and having a court summons for jury service was the last thing I was expecting to come my way. Opened it today to see I've been summons to court as part of a face to face jury case in early August.
Any other year I would not have any issue with it, but as so many of us here I am shielding religiously, and not taken any chances as I'm immune-deficient and on biologics. My husband and I haven't seen another soul for nearly 3 months, not been on any walks, not stepped into a shop or pharmacy, nothing except going to Doctors surgery for my 3-month routine blood test.
This letter brought me out in hives as it causes me a number of issues apart from the obv, not least how to get there and back, as I don't drive anymore and don't feel comfortable taking any form of public transport for a long long time. I don't want to spend extended periods of the day in the company of people even if we are 2 meters away. Apparently the courts have made changes to "keep all safe"but I still feel very twitchy about it.
What to do? Any advice would be golden. Have any of you been in this or a similar situation?
Thanksy
D
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Deminem
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I’m pretty sure if you contacted them and explained your situation you would be exempt. There are lots of reasons to get out of jury service (being a student at university for example) so you would have a better reason than that.
I agree with all the others. I'm sure you have a justifiable reason. Apart from the fact that you would (understandably) be so anxious that the last thing you'd be able to do is concentrate on the trial, so no respecting lawyer would want you (no offence). If it's any consolation, my mother was asked to serve and is profoundly deaf on many frequencies, therefore quite reliant on lip reading. They didn't pursue it when it was explained. All the best.
I doubt it would be a problem to be exempted...just call them
Chris Philp The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department:
“At this time, the Government does not expect frontline emergency services staff, including those in the NHS, Police and Fire Service to be serving on juries.
Anyone in these groups, or any Key Worker working in education, the food supply chain or in any other frontline role who is summoned for jury service should contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB). While by law we cannot automatically defer jurors, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued guidance to help staff deal sympathetically with all requests from the public who wish to be released or deferred from jury service as a result of COVID-19. This also includes jurors who are in self-isolation, household isolation or those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus. Each application for deferral/excusal is considered on its own merit, that is both fair to the individual and consistent with the needs of the court in providing a representative jury.
I just called the phone number on the letter, and the very understanding jury officer said I need to fill out the online form explaining my situation and ask to defer for 12 months. Or ask to be excused full stop. You only get to defer one time with each summons so that would be just buying time i guess.
Not feeling like the virus is going anywhere in a year tbh, especially after the chief medical officer said that they all agree the virus will gain ground in the winter.
Past text sent to me directly from the NHS saying things like "Ask family or friends to take your rubbish out to the bins"doesn't help make you feel reassured that your not under constant threat even in everyday life.
Hia helixhelix, I think we were cross messaging then. That is very reassuring thank you for looking into that for me, so kind
It didn't seem as though the jury officer on the phone could alter anything for me from there. So I guess it's an online form i need to navigate next. It's all a bit much for me at this point, but needs must.
These things are worrying, but we have to believe that we will get some normal life back. Scary tho’ it is right now we can’t spend the rest of our lives not taking public transport, not going in to any building that has more than two people in it and so on.
Numbers of cases are coming down, and if the track and trace system gets up and running then the chances of even encountering someone with the virus will be very, very low - let alone them transmitting it to you. So I’m being positive.
You have to write write to them in detail explaining your health issues. With medical support if you can. They are reasonable I didn’t do mine due to job commitments at the time. Had a nice letter back
Hi - I had this happen to me just before the lockdown. I filled the box in on the form asking to be excused. I kept my explanation to the point - just stating the facts about my condition and how jury service would exacerbate these issues. I received a letter from them a couple of weeks later granting a full excusal. They didn’t request further evidence etc.
I was debating with my OH as to whether I could do jury service at all, even before C19, as the letter mentioned an average of 10 days attendance for service.
My health i is so up and down, that I haven't been reliable to do anything lasting that long. Haven't even had a holiday for more than 4 days in 10 years , which has to be booked at last minute bcz of being up and down. I feel bad not doing it to be honest bcz if everybody opts out then where would we be. I'd love to do it actually also bcz I'm nosy and like true crime shows on tv, but don't think I'm up to the task.
One of my friends was called for jury service a few years ago. She turned up at court everyday but wasn't actually used on a jury! complete waste of her time really but at least her work still paid her.
Ye I dont think I could sit still enough for that length of time without being sore, or falling asleep.with pain meds, or getting there on time early!!!
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