Jury Service

[GillD46]

Does anyone have any experience in being excused Jury Service?

I have just been called for next month, and while I think it would be interesting, and my "duty", I have really severe IBS. and could well have to be excused from the Courtroom, often and unexpectedly urgently. It is exacerbated by stressful situations as well, so the likelihood is that it WOULD flare up badly.

Are they likely to insist I attend?

[Stephen]

The only way to find out Gill I would have thought is to contact the clerk of the court. I am assuming this information is available that came with the request for you to attend.

[qbman1]

I've never been considered to be a sufficiently fine, upstanding citizen to be called

[Manoverboard]

I was excused because we were moving house the preceding week, so it is possible to be excused.

Write to them and explain your circumstances ... is the best advice I can offer but they may insist on confirmation from your Doctor of course.

[GillD46]

I have sent back the documentation asking to be excused, but even the worry of it has now caused a flare up.

I just wondered if anyone had any personal experience that might put my mind - and consequently my tummy - at rest.

[GillD46]

Thanks MOB, hopefully they will excuse me and if necessary I can get my GP to provide a certificate.

[daib GC]

Does anyone have any experience in being excused Jury Service?

I have just been called for next month, and while I think it would be interesting, and my "duty", I have really severe IBS. and could well have to be excused from the Courtroom, often and unexpectedly urgently. It is exacerbated by stressful situations as well, so the likelihood is that it WOULD flare up badly.

Are they likely to insist I attend?

Gill,

On very good authority, my other half, you need to talk to the Jury Officer at the court you have been called by. Now you have sent in your form this goes to the central authority. They may or may not grant an excusal. If they do not, contact the Jury Officer and explain the situation, He/she may ask for a doctors note.

Speak to the Jury Officer and you should be OK.


Hope that helps

Dai

[GillD46]

Thanks Dai.

[david63]

Many years ago I was called but due to (a) not wanting to go and (b) an amenable boss, I had a letter from work saying that I could not be spared for what could, in theory, be an undetermined time. I have never been called since (fingers crossed)

[barney]

I've done it a loved every minute of it (well, maybe not all the hanging around so much)

Had two very different cases and found it all facinating. One assault and one drugs.
Mind you, I love courtroom dramas and books anyway.

At the time, I was employed so it wasn't a big issue but couldn't spare the time now, so would have to come up with some story I expect.

[Kenmo1]

Ken was called for jury service many years ago and we knew he would need regular visits to the loo because he was/still is on water tablets. The Doctor provided a letter explaining this and Ken was excused the service. Mind you, Ken tends to add to his problem by constant cups of tea and coffee.

Maureen

[Stephen]

I've done it a loved every minute of it (well, maybe not all the hanging around so much)

Had two very different cases and found it all facinating. One assault and one drugs.
Mind you, I love courtroom dramas and books anyway.

At the time, I was employed so it wasn't a big issue but couldn't spare the time now, so would have to come up with some story I expect.

Hanging was a bit drastic barney wasn't it

[Meg 50]

SD was called when she was just 18 doing A Levels and asked for a deferment - which was granted - 17years later she was called again, and went this time.

They are amenable if you have the right documentation

[Not so ancient mariner]

I have never been called for jury service, but my wife was, a few months after our younger daughter was born. A letter explaining the difficulties with arranging child care for a young baby for an indeterminate period resulted in a deferment.
That baby is now 27 - and we have yet to get another call.

[gfwgfw]

Called for Jury Service many years since

Entailing a long journey plus a long wait in a very glum cold holding area

With equally glum compatriots

Then to be told by and equally glum court official

"Sod off your services are not needed on this occasion"

Miffed to say the least

Good upright citizen

My ass

Luboo all

The I was Not Amused Giant of Cerne Abbas

[Onelife]

Hello Gill,

Firstly let me say how sorry l am to hear that you suffer with IBS a condition which can be very debilitating.

You have have done the right thing and l am in no doubt you will be excused from jury service. You might however be required to forward conformation of your condition from your GP...... without charge one would hope.

Don't worry.

Regards

Keith

[GillD46]

Thanks again everyone. I'm keeping everything crossed they excuse me -I'll let you know.

[Bobbie]

Gill, I have exactly the same problem as you. Many of my friends have had to do Jury Service and being called was my worst nightmare. As soon as the letter arrived I had a massive flare-up, only another sufferer can truly understand what it is like. I knew there was absolutely no way I could do it, even though I agree it could be an interesting experience. I am the sort of person (you're probably the same) who always has to sit on the end of a row in the theatre or cinema in case I have to dash out suddenly. I filled out the form with all these rather unpleasant and embarrassing details, thinking they may ask me for a Doctor's note. In the event, I received a letter excusing me for a year. I was so relieved on that occasion, but still live in dread of being called again. I really hope you will be excused, as I was.
Bobbie

[Raybosailor]

Gill when I was on jury service on of the 12 in our group took ill after the first day, the case was put back and the remaining 11 of us went back into the pool. I'm sure the court service do not want to take a risk on you taking ill part way through a case. But as Dai said it would probably put your mind at rest if you phoned the clerk to the courts office.

[Raybosailor]

When I did my jury service I lost quite a bit of money as they only pay lost earnings if it is a guaranteed wage and as my my earnings were made up by out of hours payments,travel out of the county payments and work through lunch payments which were regular occurrences my employer which was local government could not include these payments in their statement for loss of earnings.
On top of this I suffer from coeliac disease but the court catering did nothing to cater for my condition. On the last day we were sent to the deliberation room and were not allowed to come out until a verdict had been reached. The other 11 Jurors were brought sandwiches but there was nothing for me and it was a long unpleasant day for me. I would not want you to experience the same with your condition so see your doctor.

[wolfie]

GillD 46

Tell them I am available. I would love to do it.

[colwill]

The other point to make is that, once we started deliberations, we were locked into the jury room. None of us were overjoyed by this, and no one warned us about it beforehand.

They have tightened up on exemptions recently, but would have thought that your medical condition would excuse you. If not, have a word with the Court Clerk on the first day - that's what a fellow juror did (she managed a nursing home and couldn't be spared from work) and she was exempted at that point.

[Onelife]

Hello Gill,

l also suffer with IBS and have done so for over ten years. I can go several months between episodes but when l'm going through a bad spell it can, as you well know be very uncomfortable, with side effects that don't bear thinking about. Anyhow the reason l have contacted you is to say l have tried every remedy avaliable, Mebeverine, Colpermin, high fiber, stopped this, tried that, all of which haven't really helped....its as if it has to run its course before you start feeling a little bit better.....then only waiting for the nightmare to start all over again.

Forgive me if you have already tried this medication but the only thing that gives me some degree of relief is the drug called Buscapan...no doubt you will have tried it but just in case .....

Regards

Keith

p.s l tried to PM this post but you wasn't in

[Stephen]

GillD 46

Tell them I am available. I would love to do it.

Might as well start erecting the gallows now

[wolfie]