Jury Service Eligibility In Scotland

[Arthur Little]

Ok ... so hardly the most scintillating topic for a filipino/uk forum ... but anyway, here goes:

Yesterday, I received an official-looking brown envelope through Royal Mail. It was from the Office of the Sheriff Clerk. ... instant panic! "What the hell have I done?", I wondered. Was I being *summoned? And if so ... why?

Well ... I *was! In a sense, at least; turned out I had been "selected" as a potential candidate for Jury Service. Selected my ar$e! I use the word loosely ... because I don't believe for one minute that I'd actually been "chosen" - even at random - from Scotland's population of around 5 million.

In accordance with a new ruling - of which I was previously unaware - the Scottish Parliament [after some debate] had sanctioned a resolution whereby ... effective from January 11, 2011 ... persons between the ages of 65 and 71 years can be called upon by law to serve as members of a jury.

So I suspect ... or ... at any rate ... would not be at all surprised to discover that every "young" pensioner of my vintage throughout Scotland was sent a similar form for completion and return within 7 days of receipt.

[mickcant]

I have never been called for Jury Service
Would not have minded, yet my twin brother has been called twice I think and got out of it both times
Mick.

[Arthur Little]

I have never been called for Jury Service

Mick.

Nor have I, Mick ... yet!

[Arthur Little]

Would not have minded, yet my twin brother has been called twice I think and got out of it both times
Mick.

I'm quite keen, myself ... hope I do get the opportunity sometime within the next four-and-a-half years!

... as far as "getting out of it" is concerned ... I understand you need a pretty good excuse.

[Englishman2010]

I'm quite keen, myself ... hope I do get the opportunity sometime within the next four-and-a-half years!

... as far as "getting out of it" is concerned ... I understand you need a pretty good excuse.

You could always plead insanity

[Arthur Little]

You could always plead insanity

You're right there, Ian ... I really would be insane to even contemplate "taking on" Dom!

[Arthur Little]

Seriously, though, folks ... I reckon this new clause has been introduced into Scot's Law as a cost-cutting ploy; in other words, to avoid the legislators having to fork-out reimbursements for loss of earnings to citizens of normal working age called upon to serve as jurors.

[mickcant]

I'm quite keen, myself ... hope I do get the opportunity sometime within the next four-and-a-half years!

... as far as "getting out of it" is concerned ... I understand you need a pretty good excuse.

Hi Arthur,
I think with my brother he was called to attend but never got selected
Mick.

[Englishman2010]

I'm sure you'll make a good Juror Arthur

I hope for your sake you aren't dealing with a case involving a Mafia Hit Man or Don

[Arthur Little]

I'm sure you'll make a good Juror Arthur

kindly, Ian ... that's reassuring to know.

[Arthur Little]

I hope for your sake you aren't dealing with a case involving a Mafia Hit Man or Don

... what a choice, eh? Mafia hit man ... or ... Dom!

[sparky]

so if you were called up and the defendant was a pretty young filipina.......

would you be inclined to be sympathetic

[Arthur Little]

so if you were called up and the defendant was a pretty young filipina.......

would you be inclined to be sympathetic

... "try" me!

[somebody]

I think people 65 -71 would be some of the best Jurors you could find

Id rather a person with experience of the world reviewing my case if ever in that situation than some 18 year old