Emergency workers 'not expected to complete jury service' during Covid-19
Frontline emergency services staff are not expected to complete jury service during the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has confirmed.
Justice Minister Chris Philp said the Government does not expect those working in the NHS, Police and Fire Service to be serving on juries at this time.
He added that any key worker employed in the education or food supply sectors should also contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau to explain their situation.
Whilst by law the Government cannot automatically defer jurors, advice has been issued to help those who wish to be released or deferred from jury service as a result of Covid-19 to do so, Mr Philp said.
This also includes jurors who are in self-isolation, household isolation or those who are an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus, he confirmed.
Mr Philp's comments were in response to a written Parliamentary question from Lib Dem Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) asking whether frontline staff working in the NHS, education sector, the police or food supply chain would be exempt from mandatory jury service during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"At this time, the Government does not expect frontline emergency services staff, including those in the NHS, Police and Fire Service to be serving on juries.
"Anyone in these groups, or any key worker working in education, the food supply chain or in any other frontline role who is summoned for jury service should contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB).
"While by law we cannot automatically defer jurors, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued guidance to help staff deal sympathetically with all requests from the public who wish to be released or deferred from jury service as a result of COVID-19.
"This also includes jurors who are in self-isolation, household isolation or those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus.
"Each application for deferral/excusal is considered on its own merit, that is both fair to the individual and consistent with the needs of the court in providing a representative jury," Mr Philp's written response said.
Due to coronavirus, all new jury trials are currently postponed and the Government has not indicated when they will start up again.
However, jury summonses are continuing to be sent to make sure jurors are available when trials do start again in the future.
The advice is that if you receive, or have already received, a jury summons for a future date, you should keep planning to attend court, but should not go until an official has been in touch to confirm you are still needed to attend.
If you are self-isolating you will not be expected to start your jury service, but you will need to contact the court to inform them you will not be attending, the Government advice says.
Published: by Radio NewsHub