Some childminders may actually prefer to take part in jury service, but everyone has the right to apply for discretionary excusal and childminders may be able to exempt themselves from this service if they can prove that they have a “good reason” to be excused.

Jury Service
In the United Kingdom, almost every person between the ages of 18 and 70 years is eligible for jury service. There are some exceptions, but childminding as an occupation, does not automatically excuse childminders from jury service.

Some childminders may actually prefer to take part in jury service, but everyone has the right to apply for discretionary excusal and childminders may be able to exempt themselves from this service if they can prove that they have a “good reason” to be excused.

When you are called to jury service, you will receive a summons to attend for jury service. If, as a childminder, you want to be excused jury service, you should explain why in section 3 question C of the summons reply. A jury officer at the Jury Central Summoning Bureau will make a decision as to whether or not you can be excused based on the details given. If a juror is refused excusal they have the right of appeal against this.

Although no guarantees can be made that you will be excused jury duty, many childminders have already been excused jury service after following this advice:

• When you make your case for being excused service, explain exactly what childminding is and tell the authorities how many children you are providing day care for.
• Explain how difficult it will be to help parents find alternative childcare. Explain your concern for the disruption of your minded children’s care and, not knowing how long your jury service will be for, how difficult it will be to resettle your minded children on their return to you. Stress the importance of continuity of care.
• You may also want to consider approaching your parents, telling them what has happened, and asking them to give you a letter of support, which you can send to the Bureau. Ask parents to explain how your jury service would adversely affect them personally.
• Keep copies of any letters you may receive from parents and send the originals, together with your reply to the summons by special delivery.