Jury service

Skip to contents of guide

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

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

Head of the Jury Central Summoning Bureau
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Jury Central Summoning Bureau
Phoenix House
Bradford
BD3 7BH

jurysummoning@justice.gov.uk

Get help

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

Jury Central Summoning Bureau
jurysummoning@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 1024
Welsh language telephone: 0300 303 5173
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 3pm
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content