PART 26JURORS
Appeal against officer’s refusal to excuse or postpone jury serviceI126.1
1
This rule applies where a person summoned for jury service in the Crown Court, the High Court or the county court wants to appeal against a refusal by an officer on the Lord Chancellor’s behalf—
a
to excuse that person from such service; or
b
to postpone the date on which that person is required to attend for such service.
2
The appellant must appeal to the court to which the appellant has been summoned.
3
The appellant must—
a
apply in writing, as soon as reasonably practicable; and
b
serve the application on the court officer.
4
The application must—
a
attach a copy of—
i
the jury summons, and
ii
the refusal to excuse or postpone which is under appeal; and
b
explain why the court should excuse the appellant from jury service, or postpone its date, as appropriate.
5
The court to which the appeal is made—
a
may extend the time for appealing, and may allow the appeal to be made orally;
b
may determine the appeal at a hearing in public or in private, or without a hearing;
c
may adjourn any hearing of the appeal; but
d
must not determine an appeal unless the appellant has had a reasonable opportunity to make representations in person.
[Note. See sections 9 and 9A of the Juries Act 1974592.
Where a person summoned for jury service—
a
fails to attend as required; or
b
after attending as required, when selected under rule 25.6—
i
is not available, or
ii
is unfit for jury service by reason of drink or drugs
that conduct may be punished as if it were a contempt of court. See section 20 of the Juries Act 1974 and rules 48.5 to 48.8 (contempt of court). The maximum penalty which the court can impose is a fine of £1,000.]