A jury summons in England and Wales is a legal duty, not an invitation. GOV.UK says a summons must be answered within 7 days, and the Juries Act 1974 makes failing to attend an offence. Jury service in Scotland and Northern Ireland follows separate rules that this guide does not cover.
Who can be summoned
Section 1 of the Juries Act 1974, which applies in England and Wales, qualifies a person for jury service if they are registered as a parliamentary or local government elector, are aged 18 or over but under 76, have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least five years since turning 13, and are not disqualified. GOV.UK adds that names are chosen randomly from the electoral register and that a criminal trial jury has 12 members.
GOV.UK lists the people who are disqualified: anyone on bail; anyone who has received a prison sentence, detention order, suspended sentence or community sentence in the last 10 years; anyone who has ever received a sentence of 5 years or more; anyone currently sectioned under the Mental Health Act; and anyone who lacks the mental capacity to serve. A disqualified person who receives a summons must still respond within 7 days.
Responding and what to expect
A summons can be answered online or by returning the form by post. The Jury Central Summoning Bureau then confirms the dates and place of service. GOV.UK says jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days, although a longer trial may keep a juror longer, and that a juror is usually needed at court from 10am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Jurors need to bring the summons or confirmation letter and identification. Phones, tablets and laptops may be used in the jury assembly area but cannot be taken into the deliberation room. Courts can make reasonable adjustments, such as ramps, a hearing loop, alternative formats or a British Sign Language interpreter, if they are requested when replying to the summons.
Deferring or being excused
A juror who cannot serve on the dates given can ask for a change of date. GOV.UK says the new date must fall within the next 12 months, a good reason is needed (examples include an operation, an exam, a booked holiday, being a new parent or an employer refusing time off) and the request can only be made once. The reply can suggest three alternative dates.
Being excused altogether is harder. GOV.UK says it is allowed only in exceptional circumstances, such as a serious illness or disability, being a full-time carer, being a new parent who cannot serve at any time in the next 12 months, or living outside England and Wales. A person who has served in the last two years may also ask to be excused. Evidence, such as a doctor’s letter, may be requested. If an excusal is refused, a change of date can still be requested, and a refusal of either request can be appealed in writing to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau.
Time off work, pay and expenses
GOV.UK says an employer must allow time off for jury service but may ask for it to be delayed if the absence would seriously affect the business. An employee refused time off can complain to an employment tribunal, and someone dismissed because of jury service may be able to claim unfair dismissal. Employers can choose whether to pay during service.
The court does not pay jurors, but loss of earnings and other costs can be claimed. On 21 September 2026 the GOV.UK guide gave a cap of £64.95 a day for loss of earnings and care costs where more than four hours are spent at court, in the first 10 days, rising after 10 working days, plus £5.71 a day for food and drink and travel costs within England and Wales. Claims are made at the end of service and no more than 12 months after it starts. Anyone receiving benefits should show the summons to their work coach or benefit office straight away.
Penalties and conduct
Under section 20 of the 1974 Act, a person duly summoned who fails to attend is liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, unless there was reasonable cause; the offence can be dealt with on summary conviction or as contempt of court. GOV.UK describes the maximum fine as £1,000 for failing to return the form or attend. Making a false representation to evade jury service is a separate offence under the same section.
Jurors must not discuss a trial with anyone outside the jury room until it has finished, must not talk about what happened in the deliberation room afterwards, and must not post about the trial on social media, which GOV.UK says is contempt of court that can lead to a fine or prison.
FAQs
Can I ignore a summons if I think I am disqualified?
No. GOV.UK says a disqualified person must still respond within 7 days, so that the summoning bureau can record the position.
Does the court pay my wages?
No. Jurors are not paid, but loss of earnings up to a daily cap can be claimed, and an employer may choose to pay normal salary instead.
Does this apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. GOV.UK points to separate rules for jury service in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
Bottom line
In England and Wales, a jury summons must be answered within 7 days, whether or not the recipient expects to serve. Deferral is possible once for a good reason, excusal is reserved for exceptional circumstances, and employers must allow time off subject to serious business impact. This article is general information, not legal advice; the summoning bureau can answer questions about a specific summons.