Dear Claudine,

I recently started my own business and I received a Jury Summons in the post last week. There is no way that I can attend as a Juror given my responsibilities which requires me to be in the business on a daily basis. I have spoken to friends and family who have told me that I will have to attend. Is there any way that I could be excused from Jury Service.

Thank you

Michael

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your e-mail. Section 6 of the Juries Act 1976 obliges every Irish Citizen aged between 18 and 70 years of age and who is registered to vote, liable to serve as a Juror. There is a duty on every Irish citizen to participate in the administration of justice, however, there are exceptions which places some people in the category of being ineligible to act as a Juror by reason of their occupation. These include, Solicitors, Barristers, and other persons concerned with the administration of justice, members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Siochana. Any person who suffers from a psychiatric illness, is deaf or illiterate is also ineligible. There is a long list of ineligible people or persons excused as of right, which may be viewed in the first schedule of the Juries Act, 1976. You are not ineligible for Jury Service, however, you may make an Application to be excused from Jury Service. A County Registrar, may excuse any person whom he has summoned as a Juror under the 1976 Act, in a number of situations:- (a) If that person shows to the satisfaction of the Registrar that he or she has served on a Jury or duly attended to serve on a Jury in the three years prior to the receipt of a Juror Summons. (b) That a Judge of any Court has excused him or her from Jury Service for a certain period that is not terminated, (c) If that person shows to the Registrar’s satisfaction that there is a good reason why he or she should be excused, (d) If a person is unable to attend owing to illness or any other reason, a representative may apply to the County Registrar on their behalf. If the County Registrar refuses to excuse a person who has been summoned as a Juror, then that person may appeal the decision to the Court which he or she has been summoned to attend. The decision of the Court is final. I would advise you to write to the County Registrar explaining your particular situation and request the County Registrar to excuse you as a Juror. If the County Registrar refuses to excuse you, then you may appeal the County Registrar’s decision to the Court which you have been summoned to attend. Please be aware, however, that it is an offence under Section 34 of The 1976 Act for a person who has been duly summoned as a Juror, to fail to attend in compliance with the summons, without reasonable excuse. Such person will be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine. However, it is important to note that a person shall not be guilty of an offence in respect of their failure to attend as a Juror, if they have been furnished with less than fourteen days notice of the date upon which they are required to attend Court.

With Every Good Wish.

Claudine