Jury Service

[Underscore Pt2]

And people wonder why juries end up being composed entirely of anti establishment misfits.

possibly because they are the only ones who cant get off.

the court servce has rightly recognised that juries were becoming highly unrepresentative and is thankfully takng a much stricter line.

I've been asked 5 times. Every time I've told them I can't go as I'd end up losing the contract due to not attending client. Every time i've been excused.

[psychocandy]

Or ask the court to excuse you since your company cannot afford to lose it prime fee earner at this point in time and explain why.

It will only be a deferment though.

You sure its only a deferment? Mrs got a deferment a few years ago then got called again and I thought we were screwed.

This would have been a big problem for us. Childcare etc, me working away so potentially would have been a loss for me. Of course, IPSE doesnt allow you to claim if partner has to attend and you get left with the kids.

Sent them a letter and surprisingly they wrote back and said ok shes exempt now then.

[psychocandy]

I'm not an IPSE+ member, but I think I will sign up now. I just hadn't really given something like this much thought until it happens. Or I had somehow assumed it would only ever be a day or two of my time if it did. I also did not realize just how little they are prepared to refund you on lost earnings, £65 per day in Scotland for first 5 days, then £130 up to 10 days, then £220 up to 100.

Do you know if it is always possible to limit your service to a max of 10 days? I've got a high court summons, which potentially could be a long trial. My business will suffer serious consequences if it is a long one.

Actually the timing is very annoying, a previous boss has been in touch with a new potential project, if it gets the go ahead I may suddenly find myself needing to be intensively present to get the start-up planning and initial work off the ground. I would potentially lose a rare and life changing opportunity.

Think I'd better ask for a deferment this time.

I would then join IPSE so you get coverage for next time.

Jury service is brill for permies especially if your employer pays you in full which a lot do anyway. Couple of weeks lounging about etc.

Worked with a fella who got called and he did it. Court was about 200 yds from office. For 3-4 weeks they paid his travel and car parking (which he normally paid for himself when he was working) and he got to sit in court for about 4 hours a day and be in the house by 4pm every day. And of course employer still paid him in full.

He was gutted when case ended.