Jury duty

You can ask to defer and there are certain criteria where they have to let you. My husband got called up for jury duty starting 2 days before my due date and he applied to defer and got granted for a year. https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/delaying-or-being-excused-from-jury-service

My husband recently got out of it as he is the sole earner and we said it’s just too much of a financial strain at this time. It was originally deferred but by the second date came round he explained the situation and was let off. Also having a child under school age and breastfeeding mothers may be considered for excusal. I’d email them and explain your reasons and hopefully it’ll fall in your favour.

since you can prove you can't do it you should be able to get out of it. the fine is just to make sure people actually turn up for it lol

Thank you all! Panic over I think 😅😅

Yeah, I was heavily pregnant and was dismissed

Oh man I wish I was summoned

I had my jury service deferred as I was taking my A levels. The courts are reasonable and will understand your circumstances. (I had the most fabulous time and learnt so much, so I thoroughly recommend doing it when the time is right!)

@Annie tbh I’d love to do it any other time, just really won’t work at the moment annoyingly!

@Sarah yes I think I’ll definitely do it, just when I have time to get her into nursery etc as I would have done by then anyway

I've been summoned (before I had my daughter) and I deferred due to work but then did it. There are circumstances that allow you to be able to get out of it. I would defo contact them to explain your situation. Especially for childcare reasons although they may offer to pay wages for your husband for you to do it. Give them a ring and see where you stand.. I know you can only defer twice though x

I think it depends. I’ve been deferred 3 times, twice for an extremely difficult pregnancy and nausea and once because I’m a breastfeeding mum. You would have thought they would have saved themselves the hassle but nope 😂 I was originally mean to serve in November 2023, then it got pushed to February 2024, and now I’m due to serve in September of 2025.

I got one too and I told them i was on maternity leave and they let me defer ☺️

I have been summoned too , my little one will be six months old! Husband has to take it off too. Sadly I already deferred once as was 7 months pregnant at the time and there was high possibility of me giving birth early. You have to complete it within 9 months of the summons!!