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.

[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

[sparky]

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

would you be inclined to be sympathetic

[Arthur Little]

I have never been called for Jury Service

Mick.

Nor have I, Mick ... yet!

[Arthur Little]

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

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

[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]

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!

[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]

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

would you be inclined to be sympathetic

... "try" me!

[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.

[Pete/London]

Well that`s cheeky if that is the case Arthur, but you should still get your travel costs.
If you do get the chance then take it, just as an eye opener of the divs you get on the jury. I was called up to the Old Bailey and was lucky to get 2 cases and actually found the judges to be on the ball but the lawyers a bit dim, and some of the policeman giving evidence in a surly manner.

[Arthur Little]

Well that`s cheeky if that is the case Arthur, but you should still get your travel costs.
If you do get the chance then take it, just as an eye opener of the divs you get on the jury.

Admittedly you're allowed to claim incidental expenses, Pete ... but bugger-all else! And ... having a Senior Citizens' bus pass automatically precludes me from being eligible for even travel costs.

Ironically - although I was employed [in a clerical/administrative capacity] at Perth Prison for over 14 years - I had never been inside a court building until after I'd retired ... and then only for the sole purpose of providing moral support to a guy I knew who was up on a minor charge!

But I would like to serve on a jury given the opportunity ... for the sake of sampling the experience if nothing else.

[Arthur Little]

I was called up to the Old Bailey and was lucky to get 2 cases and actually found the judges to be on the ball but the lawyers a bit dim, and some of the policeman giving evidence in a surly manner.

... wow ... the Old Bailey, eh!? I'm impressed! So you found the judges to be "on the ball" ... and the barristers a bit dim?? I've always imagined the exact opposite to be true (well ... if courtroom dramas screened on TV are to be believed, anyway!) ... with the Judge portrayed as something of a stuffy old git - who spent more than half the trial - and the "legal eagles" being shrewd, manipulative characters. As for the cops ... enough said ... I take your point!

[Arthur Little]

As for the cops ... enough said ... I take your point!

... hope John Carr doesn't read this!

, I realise ... but how's your ex-wife progressing, Pete? I was so sorry to learn of her recent illness.

[Pete/London]

... hope John Carr doesn't read this!

, I realise ... but how's your ex-wife progressing, Pete? I was so sorry to learn of her recent illness.

Thanks for asking Arthur, she is getting better but has had a complete lifestyle change, lucky for her our daughter returned to live in the UK late last year and she has been amazing.

Back on subject Arthur, I too was surprised at the Judges as I went in with preconceived ideas, maybe at The Bailey they are the `chosen ones`.What I did not like was at the end of the day when you left the building so did the witnesses and families of the accused so to save embarrassment (or possible threats) I used to nip off in the opposite direction from my way home.

[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