How rare is jury duty in the UK?
Asked by: Prof. Dimitri Nitzsche Jr. | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (63 votes)
Jury duty in the UK isn't extremely rare, with estimates suggesting about a 35-40% chance of being called in England and Wales over a lifetime, though only around half of those called actually serve on a jury, making the odds of actual service lower. Scotland has a much higher chance of being called (around 95%), but still, only about 30% end up serving due to larger jury sizes (15 vs 12).
What are the odds of getting jury duty in the UK?
According to the BBC, adults in England and Wales have a 35% chance of being called up for jury service during their lifetime. If you're an employer, that means it's quite likely that it will happen to one of your employees at one time or another — and it's important to be prepared.
Does everyone get called for jury duty in the UK?
Anyone aged 18 or over on the electoral register can be summoned for jury service. You can apply to be excused if you're aged 71 or over. In these circumstances you can apply for an exemption up until the date you attend court, but it may be helpful to let the court know as soon as possible.
What are the odds of getting called for jury duty?
The odds of being selected for jury duty vary, but generally, about 14-15% of U.S. adults get summoned, though only a fraction actually serve, with estimates suggesting under 5% of those summoned end up on a sworn jury, as many are excused or the need for their service ends. Factors like location, eligibility (age, citizenship, felony status), and the specific needs of local courts significantly impact individual chances, with federal service having even lower probabilities.
How many people make up most UK juries?
You'll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial. You can watch a video about jury service.
Your role as a juror
Can you decline jury duty in the UK?
To ask to be excused, reply to your jury summons explaining your reasons in detail. You might need to give proof, for example, if you're ill you might be asked for a letter from your doctor. If your request is turned down, you can still ask to change the date of your jury service.
Why do I keep getting picked for jury duty?
You keep getting summoned for jury duty because selection is usually random from large lists (voter, DMV, taxes), so it's a matter of chance, but it can be influenced by your name/address appearing multiple times (maiden/married names), living in a busy court district, or if your previous service was short, letting you be called again sooner. The system aims for fairness, but random algorithms can make some people seem luckier (or unluckier) than others, even if you're excused for a period.
What happens if you fall asleep during jury duty in the UK?
"By judges' estimates, this had happened in more than 2,300 cases." King also asked, and learned, what those judges did to those sleepers: "Sleeping jurors were usually awakened and offered a break, or a chance to drink water, cola, or coffee, but not reprimanded.
Is jury duty selection truly random?
Jury service is a way for U.S. citizens to participate in the judicial process. Each court randomly selects qualified citizens from counties within the district for possible jury service. All courts use the respective state voter lists as a source of prospective jurors.
What is the best excuse to avoid jury duty?
The best ways to get out of jury duty involve seeking official exemptions for valid reasons like age (over 70/75), medical conditions (with a doctor's note), primary childcare (under 6), or financial hardship (demonstrable income loss), or requesting a deferral online or by mail with supporting documents. During selection (voir dire), be honest about biases or situations (like family tragedy, travel) that prevent impartiality, as attorneys often excuse jurors who openly struggle with fairness, but avoid outright lying, which can backfire.
Which country has no jury duty?
A number of countries do not have jury systems. Some examples include Chile, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and South Africa. A judge or panel of judges may render verdicts in these countries. Several countries officially abolished the use of juries, such as South Africa.
Can you talk about jury duty afterwards in the UK?
Even after the trial is over, you MUST NOT DISCUSS what was said or done by you or any other member of the jury while the jury was in the DELIBERATING ROOM trying to reach a verdict, unless it is for the purpose of an official investigation into the conduct of any juror.
What makes you more likely to be summoned for jury duty?
The simple reason why some people get summoned to report for jury duty more than others is that the selection system is completely random. A computer randomly picks prospective jurors from the jury pool.
What is the shortest time a jury has deliberated?
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the shortest jury deliberation ever is one minute. On July 22, 2004, a New Zealand jury took one minute to acquit a defendant charged with cultivating cannabis plants.
Do all 12 jurors have to agree in the UK?
In an ideal world, a jury will reach a clear conclusion by either convicting or acquitting the defendant. Where a case retains the original 12 jurors at least 10 must agree on the verdict. If the numbers fall short, for example, with 8 wanting to acquit and 4 wanting to convict, that will not be an acceptable verdict.
How to not get picked for jury duty in the UK?
You are disqualified from jury service if:
- you are on bail in or in connection with criminal proceedings in any part of the United Kingdom.
- you have been sentenced, at any time, in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
How likely are you to be a juror?
The odds of being selected for jury duty vary, but generally, about 14-15% of U.S. adults get summoned, though only a fraction actually serve, with estimates suggesting under 5% of those summoned end up on a sworn jury, as many are excused or the need for their service ends. Factors like location, eligibility (age, citizenship, felony status), and the specific needs of local courts significantly impact individual chances, with federal service having even lower probabilities.
How likely am I to be called for jury duty in the UK?
The chances of being called for Jury Service vary depending on where you live. In England and Wales, the chance is 35%. Only about half of those people will spend any time in court. In Scotland, the chances are much higher at 95%.
What happens if I cry during jury duty?
Crying alone may not be juror misconduct. But there are circumstances where a juror's emotions may result in an unfair trial.
What are two things jurors should never do?
Jurors should never discuss the case with anyone outside the jury (including family/friends) or conduct their own investigation, like visiting the scene or looking up info online, as the verdict must be based solely on courtroom evidence; these actions risk introducing bias and jeopardizing the trial's fairness. Another critical "never" is to decide by chance, such as by flipping coins, which makes a verdict illegal.
How come some people never get called for jury duty?
People may never get called for jury duty due to the random selection process, being automatically excused (like for age or prior service), having reasons for hardship/inconvenience, or simply by not being in the pool due to outdated voter/license records, with the ultimate factor being a mix of chance, eligibility, and local court policies.
Can being bias get you out of jury duty?
You can get excused for bias during a process called voir dire but that isn't as straightforward as saying “I'm biased” or “I think the defendant looks guilty.” If you think something that simple can get you out of jury duty in front of a judge and lawyers who have seen these tricks for many, many years, you are ...
What percentage of people get summoned for jury duty?
It is estimated that 14.4% of Americans are summoned for jury duty and approximately 11 million individuals report for jury service every year.