Goddamit Jury service. Get outs?
Discussion
Dear PH Legal Massive,
I run a small company. There's only two of us full time at the moment, and it *needs* two people. We have to plan rather carefully for any time off, avoiding booking any work in, and it's always bloody awkward, because only having one person in the office completely screws us if we get anything go wrong that needs a call out and screws our sla's.
My colleague has been called up for jury service.. which is for an indeterminate amount of time.
Hiring a temp is out, it's not that kind of business, you need to know a lot of systems and know the clients - a temp for a couple of weeks is as good as useless.
Colleague does not want to do it.
How do we get out of this?
And on a more general note, what the hell gives them the right to demand with menaces that people come and work for them at £32 a day? Is this the bloody roman empire?
I run a small company. There's only two of us full time at the moment, and it *needs* two people. We have to plan rather carefully for any time off, avoiding booking any work in, and it's always bloody awkward, because only having one person in the office completely screws us if we get anything go wrong that needs a call out and screws our sla's.
My colleague has been called up for jury service.. which is for an indeterminate amount of time.
Hiring a temp is out, it's not that kind of business, you need to know a lot of systems and know the clients - a temp for a couple of weeks is as good as useless.
Colleague does not want to do it.
How do we get out of this?
And on a more general note, what the hell gives them the right to demand with menaces that people come and work for them at £32 a day? Is this the bloody roman empire?
Edited by richardrsc on Saturday 14th May 19:22
You can't get out of Jury Service easily. If your colleague does actually end up on a trial, which is by no means guaranteed then he'll be told how long they expect the trial to last and if its more than a couple of weeks should be able to plead his case before the judge. Whether he gets discharged or not is upto the judge.
I suffer from claustrophobia but have no medical proof.
Should I get called for service I would plead this as a reason to be excused. If refused then after a short time in the court I would simply become very agitated which would disrupt proceedings. Proving the invalidity of my mental state will prove impossible.
Should I get called for service I would plead this as a reason to be excused. If refused then after a short time in the court I would simply become very agitated which would disrupt proceedings. Proving the invalidity of my mental state will prove impossible.
richardrsc said:
And on a more general note, what the hell gives them the right to demand with menaces that people come and work for them at £32 a day? Is this the bloody roman empire?
The same one that gives you the right to a trial by jury should you ever be accused of something. Not a right that was available under the Roman Empire. I loved it when I did it for 2 weeks last year. Admittedly I am employed by a company that paid me full salary for the 2 weeks, lovely jubbly.
In week 2, I got put onto a case where a house-full of people had beat up a couple of bailiffs, and advised the case may go on for more than the week, and anyone who had a problem with that to please report to the clerk. 2 People were let off onto shorter trials, and I found them (the clerks) to be very reasonable, I can't see you having any issues.
In week 2, I got put onto a case where a house-full of people had beat up a couple of bailiffs, and advised the case may go on for more than the week, and anyone who had a problem with that to please report to the clerk. 2 People were let off onto shorter trials, and I found them (the clerks) to be very reasonable, I can't see you having any issues.
k up whilst youre away, then go for it!
XCP said:
DuraAce said:
Oddly it's something I've always fancied! I'm ineligible due to my job which is a shame.
Can I ask you what you do? Judges, lawyers, police officers etc are all fair game these days.marshalla said:
I wonder how the OP's business would cope if one of them fell ill ?
And how loudly he complains about "bad" jury decisions ?
And how loudly he complains about "bad" jury decisions ?
How would your own corporate behemoth do without yourself? Do you hire extra people just in case the state decides it needs to requisition one? PLease do enlighten me as to your excellent business management skills, I'm all ears.
chevy55 said:
Phone up the clerk, explain your problem and tell him/her it'll cause real problems and your colleague may get excused or asked to do a week. Be pleasant and don't lay the law down to them and they are generally quite helpful if you have a genuine case which it sounds like you do.
Thanks , yes I think this or the 'kick it into the long grass' one sound like the sensible options.As a teacher, I was allowed to postpone my call up until after exams.
I enjoyed the process, if not the content of the cases. I realised that despite not being perfect, we live in a country where people generally try to do the right things.
I was on two cases across two weeks. Both juries nominated me chairman, which was a privilege.
I learned a lot and would recommend anyone who has the chance to have a go, for personal interest and experience if not civic duty.
I enjoyed the process, if not the content of the cases. I realised that despite not being perfect, we live in a country where people generally try to do the right things.
I was on two cases across two weeks. Both juries nominated me chairman, which was a privilege.
I learned a lot and would recommend anyone who has the chance to have a go, for personal interest and experience if not civic duty.
Edited by Inny on Sunday 15th May 06:55
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