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Who can be on a jury

To be eligible for jury service you must:

  • be aged between 18 and 75 on the day you start jury service
  • have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least 5 years without any gaps - this must be after the age of 13
  • be registered to vote

When you’re disqualified for jury service

You cannot do jury service if you:

  • are on bail
  • have received a prison sentence, detention order, suspended sentence, or community sentence in the last 10 years
  • have ever got a prison sentence or detention order of 5 years or more (including life or indeterminate sentences)
  • are currently sectioned under the Mental Health Act
  • lack the mental capacity to serve on a jury, for example because you will be unable to understand or make a decision about a case

If you receive a jury summons but are disqualified

Even if you’re disqualified, you must still respond to the summons within 7 days.

Get help

If you have any questions, contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau.

Jury Central Summoning Bureau
Webchat
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4:30pm
Friday, 9am to 2:30pm
Closed on bank holidays

jurysummoning@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 1024
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm
Friday, 9am to 3pm
Closed on bank holidays
Find out about call charges