Jury service
You may be one of many people who have been chosen for jury service.
As a juror, you have a chance to play a vital part in the legal system. This is to inform you what happens at court and about your role as a juror.
Jurors usually try the more serious criminal cases such as murder, rape, assault, burglary or fraud. These trials take place in the Crown Court.
Sometimes jurors are needed in a civil case such as libel. This does not happen often. When it does, the trial will take place in the High Court or a county court.
A juror in a civil case has a similar role to a juror in a criminal case but there are some important differences. These will be explained to you if you become a juror in a civil trial.
For most people, jury service is interesting and something they will do only once or twice in their lifetime. However, the extra travelling, or the responsibility, may be a strain. Remember that you will not be on your own and if you have any difficulty you may talk to a court official.
It is possible that you may be summoned to attend the Crown Court for a period of jury service. Jurors have an important role in the criminal justice system, and must decide, based on the facts, whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty.
As a juror you would normally be asked to serve a period of ten working days and during that time could sit on more than one case. Of course, if a trial takes longer, the jury would be expected to sit for its duration, but you would be entitled to receive expenses during the course of the trial.
More information about you and your jury service can be obtained from the Crown Court where you have been asked to attend. Staff there will be able to provide you with information about court facilities and also about claiming travel and other expenses.
In addition, a member of HMCS staff will be available to answer any queries you may have and will also show you a video, which can be watched or listened to, about jury service before your service commences.
Juror Online - this site will take you through what happens on jury service and explain the stages and procedures that you will experience when you attend court to serve. As you go though the site you will be able to get answers to any questions you have.