What are your options if summoned to jury duty at a bad time? What if I don't turn up? A £1,000 fine can be imposed. Who can't sit on a jury? Those under 18 or, at present, who have passed their 70th birthday. Those not conforming to certain residency qualifications. Most categories of criminals and those on bail. There used to be a long list of job descriptions that would get you off the hook but this has shortened. The Jury Central Summoning Bureau is on 0207 202 6800. See also https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/overview. Can I defer? In some circumstances if you have a holiday booked and paid for, an operation scheduled or an academic exam due you may well be able to defer before getting to the court. Be prepared to be called another time. Might the court reject me? You have to make clear to the court anything which would make it difficult to be a juror or which could cause a problem. Those whose English is minimal should let it be known sooner rather than later. If the case is to be reasonably long, jurors will probably be asked if there is a problem for them during the time forecasted such as a holiday or an operation booked. They may be put on a shorter case. How might, say, hearing loss, mental illness or disability generally effect jury service? Most disabilities can be accommodated within the jury service these days. For example simply having a hearing aid wouldn't exempt you. Most courts have hearing induction loops. Arrangements for disabled people can usually be made to assist them in advance of jury service. Under the Mental Health (Discrimination) Act 2013 those whose mental health condition means they are in hospital; liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 or subject to a guardianship or community treatment order are disqualified from jury service. In addition, a person who lacks capacity to serve as a juror under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is also disqualified. If there is a question over someone's mental capacity to understand and make decisions they may be telephoned by the Jury Central Summoning Bureau to check their eligibility. Who else might be excused? Anyone who feels they have special circumstances such as women having severe morning sickness, expecting a baby imminently, a very new mum or one who is breastfeeding a small baby. Someone with very young children they are looking after and perhaps very elderly relatives and other onerous caring duties, or whose job would be severely affected and/or whose livelihood long-term could be jeopardised - such as the running of a small business - or someone who is ill. These people should make their circumstances known. Cases will be considered on their individual merits but good reasons will be considered. Will the Government pay me? Travel Reasonable expenses for travel including up to a stipulated mileage amount if driving, and something also capped for parking will be met. Be aware though that the parking may have to be in specified place. It could say be "park and drive." Food and drink There may be a canteen. Otherwise a sum, not enough to buy you a feast, will be paid. On a normal day it will be £5.71 for lunch. Loss of earnings Something may be paid for loss of earnings but this is a replacement rather than an add-on so someone being paid as usual by the employer won't receive it. The cap is £64.95 per day on a day when the stint is over four hours. It is £32.47 if it is less. For those kept on jury service longer than two weeks the amounts increase. Child minding costs Certain costs which are additional to what is normally paid for childminders will be considered. Proving costs This won't always be easy. For instance people not earning a straight salary might find a loss difficult to prove. Also see https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/what-you-can-claim Insurance for a contractor It is possible to insure. For example Qdos Contractor, a broker, has a product covering jury service and legal protection at £66 a year. This specialises in self-employed white collar contractors. This covers any periods for which the insured is obliged to attend court for jury service where the cost is not recoverable from the relevant court for up to a maximum of £500 a day and limited to £5,000 for any one claim. See www.shop.qdosconsulting.com and its menu of products. Claimants need to demonstrate, for example, fee income contracts. Sold through brokers and other intermediaries DAS, a specialist legal expenses insurer, also includes jury service under its policies for individuals and commercial enterprises. Might I be covered for lost income under a policy and not realise I am? Embedded in some policies there is provision to help one way and another people called to do jury service. Many people will not realise such cover is there. For example Prudential say "Prudential Home Emergency Legal Protection will compensate for loss of salary if a policy holder attends jury service and is unable to claim the full amount back from the court or their employer. To make a claim, proof of jury service attendance, any allowances received by the courts as well as proof of earnings are required. Nationwide Building Society covers jury service through its Legal Assistance Insurance. This is an optional extra to Nationwide's home insurance and can be purchased for an additional £15.90 per year. Among its benefits is absence from work due to do jury service. The maximum it will pay is the net salary or wages for the time the juror is absent from work less any amount the court gives. Policyholders are not covered for any claim if they are unable to prove their losses. For Legal & General's Extra, Home Insurance Choices and Rainbow policies the expenses or loss of earnings as a result of being called for jury service is covered up to a limit of £50 per day and a maximum of £2,000. However these policies exclude cover for the first seven days as well, as is more to be expected, costs that can be reclaimed elsewhere. Under Legal & General's Enhanced home insurance policy there is cover if they have Family Legal Protection. Halifax Home Solutions Insurance and Lloyds TSB Home Solutions Insurance are among the other policies that provide some cover for customers serving as jurors. A membership might give help The Freelancers" Association, PCG professional contractors group, a not-for-profit organisation giving business support and a voice for Freelancers, Contractors and Consultants has a Business Interruption Policy. This allows a claim to be made on a member's behalf for up to £300 per day if the member is taken away from their business for jury service up to a maximum of ten days. www.pcg.org.uk / 0208 897 9970. If your employer kicks up an unjustified fuss The legal expenses section of your household policy might come into play if your work position is made untenable as a result of jury service. Commercial insurance policies Some commercial insurance policies including some of Aviva's and some Lloyds TSB business insurance has some provision for absence from work due to jury service. UK General underwrites a locum policy which pays the surgery in the event of a GP being absent due to jury service Make sure you qualify Don't insure if you wouldn't qualify to claim or if you wouldn't match the criteria for jury service. For example, if you are a carer for say your grandchildren or elderly parents contractors" insurance is not for you. Check the rules of such cover carefully. Also of course don't consider it if you wouldn't be eligible for a jury.