Receiving a jury notice
Each year, around 41000 people on the Electoral Register are randomly selected and receive a jury notice. People who get a jury notice could be called for jury service later. When you get a jury notice, you must complete a Form of Return online or by post.
If you receive a jury notice
If you receive a jury notice, you could be called for jury service at any time over twelve months, from the beginning of July to the end of June the following year.
Form of Return
You'll receive a Form of Return in the juror notice pack.
On the Form of Return, the court asks for more information about you. They need to know:
- if you are retired
- your job
- if you have any criminal convictions
You must fill in and return your Form of Return to the Juries Officer within 14 days of getting the jury notice. If you don't return it within 14 days or give false information, you could be fined up to £1,000 by a magistrate's court.
Completing your Form of Return
You can fill in an online Form of Return or send the form to the Juries Officer by post.
The online Form of Return is available until 30 June 2022.
If you have any queries, contact:
Exemptions from serving as a juror
Some people don't have to serve as a juror. There are different reasons for excusing someone from jury service. The jury notice lists people who don't have to do jury service.
If you're too ill to do jury service
If you're ill and unlikely to recover between receiving a jury notice and being summonsed for jury service, you should speak to your GP. They might certify you unfit for jury service. The GP should not charge for this service. You should send any medical certificate with your Form of Return to the Juries Officer.
If your GP charges you, the Courts and Tribunals Service won't pay this cost.
If you changed address
If selected for jury service and your address has changed, you must let the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service know.
You should attach a letter to your jury notice telling the Juries Officer your new address.
If you lose the jury notice
If your jury notice is lost, you can:
- ask Courts and Tribunals Customer Service Centre for duplicate information
Summoned to jury service
When you're selected for jury service, you'll receive a jury summons. This usually allows you at least 10 days' notice to make arrangements to be at court.