My Aunt is self-employed and has received a jury service summon. This will cost her 10 working days out of work and loss of income. This will also lead to cost driving from home to the court. How much can she claim back?

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be asked to go to a different location than the one you were summoned to. If the court needs to change the venue, they will contact you at least one week before your jury service is due to start. Check which courts offer additional locations.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau may be able to change the location of your jury service if you’ve been summoned to a court far from where you live. For example, if you’ve recently moved house or if you’re at university and you’ve been summoned to a court near your family home.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

If you’re using a registered childminder, they need to write their Ofsted number on the form. If a family member or friend is looking after your children, they must write a letter saying how many hours they’ve cared for your child.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

if you’re self-employed

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

£5.71 for food and drink

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

the cost of travel to and from court

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

Travel and parking costs

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

Food and drink

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Jury service

How jury service works

If you get a jury summons in the post, you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend.

Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.

You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.

You can watch a video about jury service. There’s also a Welsh language version of the video.

Jury service and coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’ve received a jury summons, you will need to attend. Jury staff will contact you to confirm the days and times you need to attend.

Do not go to court if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you’re self-isolating or in quarantine. Tell the court if you cannot attend.

You can read more about how coronavirus is affecting jury service including the social distancing measures that are in place.

How long jury service lasts

Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.

If the trial is likely to last longer than 10 days, jury staff will let you know. If the trial is shorter than 10 days, you may be asked to be a juror on other trials.

You’ll usually need to be at court from 10am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, but times can vary.

You’ll need to arrive at court earlier on your first day. Check your summons letter for the exact time.

What you can claim

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings. You can also claim some expenses, for example travel.

Find out what you can claim:

if you’re an employee

if you’re self-employed

if you’re not working

What you can claim if you’re an employee

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

Taking time off work

Give a copy of your jury summons to your employer.

Your employer must let you have time off work, but can ask you to delay your jury service if your absence will have a serious effect on their business.

Problems with your employer

If you’re not allowed to take time off work for jury service, you can complain to an employment tribunal.

If you’re sacked because you do jury service you may be able to claim unfair dismissal.

Getting paid during jury service

Your employer can choose whether or not to pay you during your service.

If they do not pay you, you can claim for loss of earnings from the court.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you’re self-employed

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Loss of earnings, childcare and other care costs

How much you can claim to cover loss of earnings and care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

What you can claim if you're not working

You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if your earnings are affected. For each day you’re at court, you can usually claim:

up to £64.95 towards your loss of earnings, and any care or childcare costs outside of your usual arrangements

£5.71 for food and drink

the cost of travel to and from court

You’ll be told how to claim expenses after your jury service has ended.

You can ask to delay your jury service if you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter.

If you get benefits or financial support

Show your jury summons to your benefit office or work coach as soon as you get it.

You’ll continue to get financial support and benefits (such as Universal Credit) for the first 8 weeks. After that, the court will give you a loss of earnings form to give to your benefit office or work coach.

What you can claim

There’s a limit to how much you can claim for each day you’re at court.

Childcare and other care costs if you are not working

How much you can claim to cover care costs depends on the length of your jury service and how many hours you spend at court each day.

For the first 10 days of jury service, you can claim up to:

£64.95 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£32.47 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

If your jury service lasts longer than 10 working days, the amount you can claim increases. You’ll be able to claim up to:

£129.91 a day if you spend more than 4 hours at court

£64.95 a day if you spend 4 hours or less at court

Travel and parking costs

How much you can claim depends on how you travel to court.

How you travel to court | The court will pay

Bus or underground | Cost of the ticket

Train | Cost of the ticket (standard class return fare)

Bicycle | 9.6p per mile

Motorcycle | 31.4p per mile

Car | 31.4p per mile - check if the court will pay for parking

Car - for one other juror as a passenger | 4.2p per mile

Car - for each additional passenger | 3.2p per mile

Taxi | The fare - ask the court for permission before using a taxi

Food and drink

How much you can claim depends on how many hours you spend in court each day.

Time spent each day | The court will pay up to

Up to and including 10 hours a day | £5.71 per day

Over 10 hours a day | £12.17 per day

Estimate your expenses

You can use a calculator to check what you can claim.

Ask to change the date or be excused

If you cannot do jury service on the dates in your summons letter, you can ask to change the date or be excused.

Ask to change the date of your jury service

You might be able to change the date of your jury service to another date within the next 12 months. You’ll need a good reason, for example:

you’re having an operation

you’re sitting an exam

your employer will not give you time off work

you have a holiday booked

you’re a new parent

You can only ask to change the date once.

To change the date, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. When you reply you can suggest 3 possible dates in the next 12 months that work for you.

Ask to be excused from jury service

If it’s not possible for you to do jury service in the next 12 months, you can ask to be excused. You’ll only be allowed to do this in exceptional circumstances, for example:

you have a serious illness or disability that prevents you from doing jury service

you’re a full time carer of someone with an illness or disability

you’re a new parent and will not be able to serve at any other time in the next 12 months

If you cannot do jury service because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should ask to change the date.

You can also ask to be excused from jury service if you’ve done it in the last 2 years.

If you do not do jury service this time, you could still receive a summons in the future.

To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you’re ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor.

If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.

If you disagree with the decision

You can appeal if your request to change the date of your jury service or be excused is refused. Write to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau, including:

why you disagree with the decision

your juror number (this is on your summons letter)

your name and address

your date of birth

the name and address of the court you’ve been summoned to

the dates of your jury service

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service.

Respond to the summons

You must respond to your jury summons within 7 days of getting it.

You can either:

reply to the jury summons online

complete and return the form by post

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not return the form or turn up for your jury service.

After you respond

The Jury Central Summoning Bureau will send you a letter to confirm details of your jury service, including when and where it will take place.

If you asked to change the date or to be excused, the letter will explain if your request was accepted.

You’ll need to bring your summons or confirmation letter to court with you on your first day of jury service.

Get help

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about jury service or about a decision.

Contact the court if you:

need directions

have a question about your expenses claim

Going to court as a juror

On your first day, you should bring:

your jury summons form or your jury service confirmation letter

some identification, such as your passport, photo driving licence or Home Office documents showing your UK immigration status

If you do not have identification, you can bring any 2 documents from the following:

your birth certificate

your credit card with 3 statements and proof of signature

your cheque book and bank card with 3 statements and proof of signature

3 utility bills showing your name and address

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones

You can bring your mobile phone, tablet or laptop into the court building and use it in the jury assembly area.

You cannot take your phone, laptop or tablet into the deliberation room. All courts have lockers or somewhere you can safely store your personal items.

There is free wifi in most courts.

What to wear

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt.

Very casual clothing such as shorts or clothing with inappropriate logos or slogans are not allowed.

What will happen when you arrive at court

Allow extra time to go through security at court.

Court staff will show you where the jury assembly area is and the jury manager will:

tell you about jury service

explain your responsibilities

tell you what expenses you can claim and how to claim them

There are extra security and hygiene measures in place because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have a disability

Check what facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

Contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau if you have questions about the facilities or to arrange a visit to the court.

Discussing the trial

Do not discuss the trial with anyone until it’s finished, except with other jury members in the deliberation room.

After the trial you must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room, even with family members. You can talk about what happened in the courtroom.

Do not post comments about the trial on social media websites like Facebook or Twitter - even after the trial’s finished. This is contempt of court and you can be fined or sent to prison.

If anyone approaches you about the trial

Tell a court officer if you’re approached about the trial. If you’re approached outside court, tell a police officer.

If you find the trial distressing

You may be upset by the trial and want to speak to someone privately. Speak to court staff - they’ll give you advice.

For emotional support speak to your GP to find out what support is available. You can also contact the Samaritans - although they cannot give advice.

How to claim expenses

Make your claim for expenses at the end of your jury service - and no more than 12 months after your jury service started.

You’ll usually be paid 7 to 10 working days after submitting your claim form.

The court may be able to pay your expenses during the trial if it’s likely to last a long time or if you’re facing financial hardship. Ask jury staff for more information.

Food, drink and travel expenses

Fill in the claim form you received at the start of jury service. Return it to the court with the relevant receipts.

Loss of earnings

What you need to do depends on whether you are employed or self-employed.

If you’re an employee

Your employer needs to fill in a loss of earnings form if they’ve told you they are not going to pay you during jury service. Bring it to court on your first day of jury service.

If you’re self-employed

Fill in a self-employed loss of earnings form. You’ll need to include evidence of lost earnings, such as your most recent tax return.

Care and childcare expenses

You and the carer need to fill in the care expenses form to claim for costs outside of your usual care arrangements.

Bring your child’s birth certificate or passport to court during your service or attach a copy to the claim form.

Return the form to the court with evidence of the cost of care, for example invoices or receipts.

Questions about expenses

Contact the court where you did jury service if you have questions about expenses.