Jury Service Employment Rights
Employees have a legal obligation to attend jury service when summoned under the Juries Act 1974. Employers must allow time off and cannot dismiss an employee for attending. There is no statutory obligation to pay employees during jury service, but employees can claim loss of earnings from the court.
Last updated: February 2025
Up to £64.95/day (first 10 days)
Court loss of earnings
Up to £129.91/day
After 10 days
18-75
Service age range
What the Law Says
The Juries Act 1974 requires eligible persons aged 18-75 to serve on a jury when summoned. Section 43 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 protects employees from dismissal or detriment for jury service absence. Employers can apply to the court for deferral or excusal if the employee's absence would cause serious harm to the business.
Your Obligations as an Employer
- Release employees for jury service when summoned
- Not dismiss or subject to detriment for attending jury service
- Allow employees to claim loss of earnings from the court
- Consider paying employees during jury service (best practice, not mandatory)
What to Include in Contracts
State the company policy on jury service leave, specify whether full pay, partial pay, or no pay is provided during jury service, detail the notification requirements, and confirm the employee must claim court loss of earnings allowance if the company tops up pay.
View related contract templateCommon Mistakes
- Pressuring employees to seek excusal from jury service
- Deducting jury service absence from annual leave entitlement
- Not having a clear policy on pay during jury service
FAQ
Can an employer ask for jury service to be deferred?
The employer can write to the court to support the employee's application for deferral, but the decision is the court's. Deferral is usually granted once if there is good reason, such as a critical business period. The employer cannot prevent an employee from attending.
How long can jury service last?
Standard jury service is 2 weeks (10 working days), but trials can last much longer. If a trial is expected to exceed 2 weeks, jurors are informed in advance and can raise concerns. Employers should plan for extended absence in complex cases.
Stay compliant with UK employment law
AccountsOS generates compliant contracts and keeps you updated on your obligations. From £10/month.
Get Started FreeThis is guidance for UK employers, not legal advice. For complex employment law matters, consult a qualified employment solicitor or ACAS.
View all employment law topics