What you need to know about jury service
Whether it's from TV, TikTok, or teaching, chances are you've heard of the term jury service or jury duty - but what does it actually mean?
Well, here at BBC Bitesize, we've put together this guide to answer some of the internet's biggest questions about jury service: what is it? How does it work? And can you get paid for doing it?
1. What is jury service?
Jury service is when ordinary people from the UK are called to serve as part of a jury during a criminal or civil trial.
The role of the jury is to listen to evidence presented in a trial and use this to determine whether the person accused is innocent or guilty.
In the UK, people have a right to be judged by a jury of their 'peers', meaning ordinary citizens like us.
For the most part, jury service is mandatory, meaning people called have to take part - though there are some exceptions to this.
2. How do you get picked for jury service?
Jury service is allocated using a randomised electronic ballot, based on a list of names from the electoral register.
Put simply, the names of people registered to vote in the UK are added to a random generator and, if chosen, will be summoned to take part in jury service - kind of like picking a name from a hat.
Because the system is random, it's possible for a person to be called for jury service more than once, or go through most of their life without being called at all.
3. How does jury service work in the UK?
First off, if you have been chosen for jury service, you'll receive a letter (sometimes known as a summons) to say you've been selected, when you're expected to be a juror and where you need to go.
This letter will usually arrive between three and nine weeks before you're expected to serve, giving you plenty of time to respond and make plans.
After you've received the letter, you're required by law to reply within seven days, either to confirm your availability or to ask for a delay or exemption.
Receiving a summons doesn't necessarily mean you'll sit as part of a trial, as you may be dismissed or excluded on the day you arrive for service.
If you are chosen to serve, this will usually last for a period of 10 working days - though this may be longer or shorter dependent on the length of the trial.
4. What happens on a jury?
In a fair trial, the role of the jury is to listen to the evidence, witnesses and arguments presented by the defence and prosecution, and discuss among themselves whether they feel the defendant is innocent or guilty.
It's important that a jury discuss this based only on the evidence presented during the trial, so they're instructed to avoid reading news or speculation about the trial from the press or the internet.
Jurors are also restricted from discussing details of the trial with anyone aside from their fellow jurors. This can include evidence that's presented, how other jurors voted, or arguments brought up in discussion.
At the conclusion of a trial, the jury will come to their final verdict, which will then inform the sentence handed out by the judge.
5. What is the age limit for jury service in the UK?
In England and Wales, you must be between the ages of 18 and 75 to be eligible for jury service. In Scotland, you must also be over 18, but there is no upper age limit - though anyone aged 71 or over is able to apply for exclusion from service by rights.
Additionally, anyone called up for jury service must have been a resident of the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for a period of five years since the age of 13.
They must also be named on their country's electoral register - for either local or parliamentary elections.
6. Who is exempt from jury service in the UK?
There are a number of reasons why a person may be exempt or disqualified from jury duty in the UK.
For example, if you're on holiday or having an operation on the date you're due to serve, you're able to request an exemption from taking part in jury service.
There's also a number of people who are completely disqualified from taking part in jury service. Anyone currently on bail for criminal proceedings, meaning they've been let out of custody but are awaiting trial, is disqualified from serving on a jury.
People who've been sentenced to prison are also exempt, as is anyone deemed to lack the mental capacity to serve on a jury, as defined by the 2005 Mental Capacity Act.
7. Do you get paid for jury service in the UK?
You do not get paid for taking part in jury service in the UK, as it's considered a part of your 'civic duties', but those chosen to serve are able to claim back some expenses.
For example, jurors can claim money back for things like travel, food and childcare, as well as compensation for any loss of earnings during their stint on a jury.
For more information on this, check out this guide from the UK Government website.