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What to do if…
you receive a letter saying you must attend court as a juror and you cannot make the date

Short answer

Respond to the summons immediately using the method on the letter and request a deferral (a new date). Do not ignore it or “just not turn up”.

Do not do these things

  • Do not ignore the letter because you “can’t do that week” — non-attendance can become a serious problem.
  • Do not assume your employer, university, or a family member can sort it for you; you usually must reply yourself.
  • Do not wait until the last minute to explain — late requests are harder to accommodate.
  • Do not book travel or rearrange childcare on the assumption you’ll be excused; wait for confirmation.
  • Do not send original documents you can’t replace; send copies or scans unless the letter specifically requires originals.

What to do now

  1. Read the summons carefully and note three things: your juror number, the start date/time, and how you must reply (online/phone/post) and by when.
  2. Request a deferral (date change) right away using the exact route on the summons.
    • England & Wales: if approved, you can usually move your service to another date within the next 12 months, and you can usually only ask once — so respond quickly and offer dates you can do. (This is typically handled via the online reply or the Jury Central Summoning Bureau details on your summons.)
    • Scotland / Northern Ireland: follow the instructions on your summons and contact the jury office/court listed (process wording can differ).
  3. Give a clear, simple reason and offer workable alternatives. Examples that are commonly accepted include a pre-booked holiday, an exam, a medical procedure, being out of the area/country, or serious work/primary caring conflicts. Where possible, offer several date ranges you can do.
  4. Attach/offer proof if it exists. For example: exam timetable, travel booking confirmation, clinic letter, rota showing you are the sole cover, or evidence of caring responsibilities. If you don’t have it yet, say when you can provide it.
  5. If you need an excusal (not just a date change), ask explicitly and explain why you cannot serve at any point in the next 12 months. This is usually only granted in exceptional circumstances.
  6. Save a record of everything you send. Keep screenshots, postal proof of sending, or email copies. Write down the date/time of any phone call and who you spoke to.
  7. If you don’t get a response in time, chase using the contact details on the summons. Treat “no reply” as “not approved” until you have confirmation.
  8. If you’re close to the start date (or you’ve already missed it), contact the jury office immediately. Explain you are trying to resolve it and ask what they need from you next. Acting quickly helps.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether you want to be excused permanently — start by requesting a deferral unless you truly cannot serve at any time in the next 12 months.
  • You do not need to write a long explanation; a short reason plus any proof is enough.
  • You do not need to plan expenses, transport, or childcare until you have confirmation of the new date or a decision.

Important reassurance

Lots of people cannot make the first date they’re given, and the system expects deferral requests. The key is to respond promptly and through the method on your summons, rather than going silent and hoping it goes away.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for handling the summons and reducing the risk of penalties. If your situation is unusual (access needs, complex caring duties, or uncertainty about which UK jurisdiction issued the summons), contact the jury office on the summons for tailored instructions.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Jury service rules and processes differ across the UK, so follow the instructions on your summons and use the official contact details provided there.

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