Jury Service

[norfolk n sheep]

Been asked to attend jury service next month. Only problem is I have over 5000 sheep to look after on my own. The letter states that if I decline this time I have to undertake the jury service next time I am asked to. My problem is I haven't enough time now, but if I am asked second time in the middle of lambing, it will be impossible. Has anyone got away with this? What do I need to do? Thanks in advance

 

[Hilly]

Get someone to cover you, the above wont be a good enough excuse.

 

[Tim W]

I'v done it ---in the middle of lambing.No worries, these guys don't get to work until 10am and they want to go home by 3.30pm so you have plenty of time to mess around with sheep in-between
1st time around i deferred it --- I wouldn't think of deferring if asked again

You will also learn something

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

I had to do it and it coincided with the OH being away somewhere, admitted we don't have 5000. sheep, but I got on early and checked all the stock and sat there filling in expenses forms for the rest of the day. I didn't claim any more than I was absolutely due, but the Mrs did ask if I could go again when the cheque came through.

Seriously though, if you need someone to cover for you, you can claim the cost.

 

[Grouse]

I was under the impression that if you ran your own business and you were a key member of staff in that business and that attending Jury Service would have a detrimental impact on the business that you were not bound to do it.

I know if I was instructed to do it I simply couldn't as I run two business' and one of them relys upon my input and intervention every day 24/7.

Thinking about the above - how do self employed builders, plumbers, solicitors. Accountants deal with it - they would lose all their customers in a lengthy court case.

 

[Hampton]

Turn up looking fairly scruffy and you might be the 13th juror that they send home. They always call 13 but only select 12

 

[Grouse]

old holey overalls stinking of stale silage ???

 

[cheviot53]

Been requested 3 times first time not picked out of 50 potentials , second time turned up at court and told them my father in law was terminal and we needed to go , they said fine they had plenty of people to chose from , third time phoned the night before as you are requested to do and told not needed ( often they plead guilty at the last moment )

 

[RobFZS]

I got a letter about doing it the week we had TB testing, sent them a letter and got excused from it, just send them a letter/ phone call and see what can be done

 

[Northeastfarmer]

My dads been asked to do it twice and twice he's told them he couldn't leave the farm

 

[Henarar]

Just play the welfare card

 

[jondear]

Just do it turn up you probably won't get picked .If you do just say that you recognize the acused and you will be off home

 

[Danllan]

Jury Service is a fundamental civic duty and without exceptional reasons you can't escape it. However, I do know that once you have already deferred they will press hard for you to turn up in future, but that if you give dates of a availability with good reason - and lambing, shearing etc. are valid - they will accommodate you. They are not out to penalise, just to ensure the system works.

NOTE WELL: despite some of the 'advice' above, they are not thick, and if you make a claim about 'knowing' someone or give another fake reason for not being there, they will have heard it a hundred times before and they do often check it out; I have seen this happen several times. If you are lying, you will be in Court yourself and you will be fined at the least (this was £1k but may have changed).

I wasn't allowed to sit on a jury when I was practising but was asked several times (!), now that Barristers can sit I haven't been asked... I think it would be interesting and possibly, bearing in mind my having been on 'the other side', rather worrying...

 

[bruce9001]

Turn up and if you are selected out of the batch of people, just state you can't be on the jury because you either know the person or make something up like your anti - something so they won't let you be on it due to not being impartial

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

I've never been asked to sit on a Jury, or been tried by Jury, but I am often concerned as to how often people try to skive Jury duty, or don't take the concept seriously.

Trial by a Jury made up of one's peers is a fundamental human right upon which our civilised society has been founded.

I would like to think that if ever my liberty was to be decided by a Jury made up of my peers, that they would take the matter seriously.

For a deeper insight, watch a film from a year or two back called "Twelve Angry Men".

 

[unlacedgecko]

I've never been asked to sit on a Jury, or been tried by Jury, but I am often concerned as to how often people try to skive Jury duty, or don't take the concept seriously.

Magistrates court only huh?

 

[bovrill]

Ask for facilities for being hard of hearing. I don't think they actually tell you it's a reason to turn you away, but I know a couple of people who suddenly weren't needed once they asked!

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Magistrates court only huh?

No comment


Long stories, best left for another day.

 

[unlacedgecko]

No comment


Long stories, best left for another day.

If you're ever in Gloucestershire drop in and I'll shout you a beer. We can swap stories of hunting and other interesting times

 

[spin cycle]

just tell them you're from wisbech and they'll let you off