Jury service is something that some people may be asked to do in their lifetime. Being on a jury is a 'civic duty' and helps decide the outcome of criminal (and civil) trials in a court
People from a cross-section of society are selected to hear evidence about anyone who has been charged with an offence. Based on the evidence presented to them the jury is asked to decide if the defendant, the person charged with the offence, is guilty or not guilty.

Who can be selected for jury service?
You may be asked to do jury service if you:
• You are between the ages of 18 and 70.
• You are registered on your local government’s electoral register.
• You have lived in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands for the last 5 years since you were 13 years old.

How is selection made?
The administration of the Jury System in Northern Ireland is governed by The Juries (NI) Order 1996 and The Juries Regulations (NI) 1996.The Order legislates that it is the responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer to arrange the selection of a sufficient number of jurors from the electoral register and provides the juries officer with a list of those persons selected for each County Court Division.The juries officer serves a Jury Notice on every person whose name is included in the list during February/March each year. The jury lists are then divided into panels. Jurors whose names are included in the list will then be summoned by the juries officer to attend the court specified in the jury summons. The jury summons process normally commences mid-July/early August and continues in accordance with the Crown Court calendar and business requirements until the following June. The summonses are sent out 3-5 weeks in advance of the first day of jury service.

Jury Notice
If your name is chosen randomly from the electoral register. You will receive a Jury notice explaining that your name was on the list of potential jurors for the year, accompanying the will be a form of return. If you have received a Jury Notice advising you that you have been selected for jury service, you are required to complete the 'Form of Return' and return your form to the Juries Officer within 14 days of receipt of the Jury Notice. If you fail to make a return within 14 days or make a false statement you will be liable on conviction of a Magistrates Court to a fine of up to £1,000.
There are, however, several grounds for excusing yourself from having to serve on a jury and details of these categories will be listed on the Jury Notice.

If you have a query regarding your summons to the High, Crown and Coroners courts, need to be escused from jury service, or jury expenses, please contact the Jury Management team using the following contact details:
Jury Management Team
Customer Service Centre
PO Box 256
Londonderry
Telephone: 028 7126 1329
Fax No.: 028 7137 2105.

Jury Summons
The jury summons tells you which court you are required to attend and the date and time on which your jury service will begin. You will usually have between three to five weeks between the Summons letter arriving and your first day in court. The letter also provides details for the Customer Service Centre that will help you with any queries that you might have about your jury service.
If there is a reason that prevents you from serving at that time, you will need to contact the Customer Service Centre (see above) and ask to be 'deferred’ so that you can serve at a later date, or ‘excused’ from jury service altogether. The reasons you might be deferred or excused and how to apply for deferral or excusal, as they are known, are provided in part two of your Jury Summons.
Additional information will also accompany your Jury Summons including details of financial allowances and general information on the courthouse you will be attending.

How many people are on a Jury
In criminal cases 12 people form the jury, in civil cases 7 people make up the jury and in coroners inquests there are between 7 and 11 jurors.

Crown Court
In Northern Ireland, Crown Courts are where serious criminal cases are heard by a judge and jury.
In those cases, the judge makes decisions about the law and manages the trial. The jury considers the evidence, and decides whether the person on trial is guilty or innocent.
In cases when the jury finds the defendants guilty, the judge issues their sentences.
Throughout the trial, the judge makes sure that the jury is aware of its legal role, and what it should and shouldn’t do so that the court case stays within the law.

Coroner’s Courts
A coroner must summon a jury for an inquest if the death occurred in prison or in police custody, or in the execution of a police officer's duty, or if it affects public health or safety
The coroner’s court operates differently to other courts in that the jury is not asked to return a verdict of guilty or not guilty. You are on a coroner’s jury to confirm two things: The first is the identity of the person that has died, and secondly how, when and where the person died.

Attending Court
Prior to attending Court read all the paperwork you have received. This will give directions to the Court you are attending, the time you need to attend and the person to contact on your arrival.
You should also take identification. Acceptable forms of ID are as follows:
•  Full passport;
•  Photo driving licence;
•  EU National Identity card;
•  Home Office documents confirming UK immigration status;

or any two of the following:
•  Birth certificate (issued within six weeks of birth);
•  Credit card with three statements and proof of signature;
•  Cheque book and bank card with three statements and proof of signature;
•  Three utility bills showing correct name and address.

Court staff will ask you to show these to confirm your identity when you arrive at court on your first day.
When you arrive at Court you will be directed to the jury waiting area until a court official calls your name. Normally 15 jurors in total are called and taken into the court. The court clerk randomly selects 12 names of the people that are to form the jury.
If you are not selected, you may:
• be chosen for another jury on the same day
• have to come back the next day to be selected for another jury

Objections to jurors
During selection of a jury, an objection to a juror could be lodged by the prosecution or defence team. If it is a joint objection you may not become part of the jury. If just one side objects, a reason must be given and the judge will decide whether you should be excused or not.

Knowledge of the accused
If it becomes apparent that you have some connection with the case, this may be personal knowledge of the case, you may know some one involved, or you may work for the same employer as the accused. You will normally be presented with a list (mostly verbal and read out by the prosecution) of all associated persons and companies to ensure you have no knowledge of the case. This allows you to sit as part of an unbiased Jury.
If you believe you may have some knowledge however minor you should tell the Clerk of Court immediately. The judge will then decide whether you should be excused from serving as a juror or not.

Swearing in
The Clerk of the Court will administer the oath. This process is called 'swearing in'. You can affirm instead of swearing the oath (different religions with be given their respective holy books, such as the Bible, Koran etc). Affirming means that you make a non religious promise before the court that you will try the case faithfully and reach a true verdict on the evidence presented.
A verdict is whether someone is guilty or not guilty of committing a crime.

The trial
There are two sides to each trial.
The prosecution acts on behalf of the victim(s) of the crime.
The defence acts on behalf of the person on trial for committing the crime - the ‘defendant’.
You will hear an introduction to the case by the Prosecution outlining the facts of the case. The defence will then cross examine those facts.
The Prosecution will present their case first in which prosecution witnesses will give their evidence in chief.
The Defence will then ask the prosecution witness about their evidence, this is referred to as cross examination.
The Prosecution may ask further questions of the their Witness if needed, this is known as re examination.
As the Defence have no obligation to prove innocence, the defendant does not have to give evidence.
However, if the accused does decide to give evidence then the roles are reversed.
Defence Counsel will then call their witnesses and defendants.
Prosecution Counsel with cross examine the defendants and their witnesses.
Defence Counsel may re examine.
Notes can be taken during the trial but they cannot be taken home.
In some situations it may be that you need to ask a question about a piece of evidence you have heard. You can write your question on a piece of paper and pass it to the Clerk of the Court who will then pass it to the Judge.
The Judge will then answer your question as it is most important that you have a full understanding of what is being presented before you.
Following the questioning of witnesses the Prosecution will present a summary of the case and highlight again any evidence that they want to bring to the Jury’s attention.
The Defence will then follow a similar practise.

Retirement of the Jury
Following a trial the judge outline the facts of the case which is referred to as summing up, the Judge will then instruct the Jury to retire to deliberate over the evidence they have heard and press the jury for a unanimous verdict.
The Judge will also ask the Jury to appoint a spokesperson also known as the foreman to speak on their behalf, this might be to direct any potential questions through and also to deliver any verdicts.
The Judge may also inform the Jury that a majority is acceptable only until after 2 hours and 10 minutes. This was originally 2 hours but it was extended to allow time for the jury to settle after retiring. In this instance it will depend on the complexity of the case, where a trial has commenced for many weeks with lots of evidence, a Jury may take days to reach a verdict.
Following the retirement of the jury, the court usher swears to keep the jury in some "private and convenient place", to prevent them from speaking to anyone else about the case.
Not even the Judge is allowed to ask the Jury any questions apart from whether they have agreed upon their verdict.
The usher, then becoming the jury bailiff then remains outside the jury room during the deliberations. The jury, may at any time, send a note to the judge asking a question about a point of law or to refresh themselves on any evidence. It is a contempt of court for a juror to disclose, or for anyone else enquire into, the nature of the jury's deliberations in any way ( this includes any association in the form of social networking sites, email / electronic communications- indeed any form of communication).

Verdict
The jury may return a verdict of:
• Not guilty; the defendant is freed and the case ends
• Guilty; the judge decides on the sentence
It is also possible that no decision is reached. If this happens, there is usually a new trial with a new jury.

Additional Information

Your Employment
Some jurors feel concerned about the impact being on jury service may have on their job or career particularly if they have been selected to serve as a juror on a long trial. An information booklet for employers of jurors has been designed to explain some of the issues which may concern employers.
Guide to Employers

Employers Certificate
If you are claiming financial loss, please ensure that your employer completes the employer’s certificate at the back of the jury summons. Payment by the Courts and Tribunals Service is made to the juror and any arrangement for employers to recoup wages is a matter between the juror and their employer.

What do I do with my claims form?
When your form has been completed ensure that it has been signed in all the appropriate places. Completed forms may be left on your last day at the court office, or returned by post to the Customer Service Centre. Please ensure that you enclose all appropriate receipts and tickets.
Payment of expenses can be made directly into your bank account. Please ensure that you complete all of your bank details required at the relevant section of the claim form.

Allowances
If you have any questions about your allowances, you should contact the Customer Service Centre at:
Customer Service Centre
PO Box 256
Londonderry
Phone: 028 7126 1329
Fax: 028 7137 2105
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Claiming expenses
An allowance leaflet will be enclosed with your summons showing the various allowances you may be entitled to.
If you need any further information please contact:
Customer Service Centre
PO Box 256
Londonderry
Phone: 028 7126 1329
Fax: 028 7137 2105
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Contact details for Northern Ireland Courts

Antrim Court Office
The Courthouse
30 Castle Way
Antrim BT41 4AQ
Phone: 028 9446 2661
Fax: 028 9446 3301
DX No: 3452 NR
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Armagh Court Office
The Courthouse
The Mall
Armagh BT61 9DJ
Phone: 028 3752 2816
Fax: 028 3752 8194
DX No: 2791 NR
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Ballymena Court Office
The Courthouse
Albert Place
Ballymena BT43 6DY
Phone: 028 2564 9416
Fax: 028 2565 5371
DX No: 3202 NR
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Laganside Courts
Oxford Street
Belfast BT1 3LL
Phone: 02890 728239
Fax: 028 9031 0227
DX No: 461 NR
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Coleraine Court Office
The Courthouse
Mountsandel Road
Coleraine BT52 1NY
Phone: 028 7034 3437
Fax: 028 7032 0156
DX No: 3411 NR
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Craigavon Court Office
The Courthouse
Central Way
Craigavon BT64 1AP
Phone: 028 3834 1324
Fax: 028 3834 1243
DX No: 3762 NR
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Downpatrick Court Office
The Courthouse
21 English Street
Downpatrick BT30 6AB
Phone: 028 4461 4621
Fax: 028 4461 3969
DX No: 2971 NR
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Dungannon Court Office
The Courthouse
46 Killyman Road
Dungannon BT71 6DE
Phone: 028 8772 2992
Fax: 028 8772 8169
DX No: 3052 NR
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Enniskillen Court Office
The Courthouse
East Bridge Street
Enniskillen BT74 7BW
Phone: 028 6632 2356
Fax: 028 6632 3636
DX No: 3553 NR
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Londonderry Court Office
The Courthouse
Bishop Street
Londonderry BT48 6PQ
Phone: 028 7136 3448
Fax: 028 7137 2059
DX No: 3151 NR
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Newry Court Office
The Courthouse
23 New Street
Newry BT35 6AD
Phone: 028 3025 2040
Fax: 028 3026 9830
DX No: 2068 NR
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Omagh Court Office
The Courthouse
High Street
Omagh BT78 1DU
Phone: 028 8224 2056
Fax: 028 8225 1198
DX No: 3602 NR
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High Court
Chichester Street
Belfast BT1 3JF
Phone: 028 9023 5111
Fax: 028 9031 3508
DX No: 456 NR
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Coroners Office
Mays Chambers
73 May Street
Belfast BT1 3JL
Phone: 028 9044 6800
Fax: 028 9044 6801
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Customer Service Centre
PO Box 256
Londonderry
Phone: 028 7126 1329
Fax: 028 7137 2105
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The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service
Communications Group
Laganside House
23 - 27 Oxford Street
Belfast BT1 3LA
Phone: 028 9032 8594
Text Phone: 028 9041 2920
Fax: 028 9072 8942
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