Has anyone done or doing Jury Service? My daughter (20) has to go in January and would appreciated some info. Shes finding it all rather daunting.

It can be a little daunting, but everything is explained well. She needs to listen well to everything in court. The judge will give the jury the main points to think about and what the jury must decide. Then there will be discussions between the members in the jury room. She needn't say anything in the discussions if she doesn't want to - but she will have to make her mind up about the verdict. It is up to her how she 'votes' :) I found the whole experience very interesting - the case I was on was quite funny in parts (it involved a man streaking at a rugby club). I was only needed for the one case and after that I didn't have to go back. She must be prepared to sit around and wait some days. I found other people happy to talk while waiting. I'm not sure whether they are allowed, but maybe she can take an iPod or a Kindle. One thing I did learn from the experience is that first impressions aren't always right and you must be prepared to change your opinions !! :) :)

Did it a good few years ago, you are told exactly what to do, it is interesting but can be hard if your opinion is not that of others on the jury. Would say, go and learn, look and listen and don't be pressurised by anyone else on the jury, they may be old and imposing but it is up to you to form our own opinion having listened and looked at the evidence. Some in the jury room may have formed a different opinion to you so it is worth considering their point of view but in the end it is your decision. You can ask questions whilst the trial is going on but not afterwards.

Please assure her that everyone feels the same. It is interesting but also it can mean hours sitting in the jurous room while points of law are argued, so tell her to take a good book.

I've done it on two occasions. Once when I was about 20 and once a few years ago. Both times I have been in the minority of what the jury believed. It can be confusing when listening to evidence as different witnesses describe people differently and you have to try and decipher who they are referring to. I quite enjoyed it and found it interesting.

It can be quite boring waiting to be called, so take reading material or something to do.

Not daunting at all though, everything is explained and if you don't understand you can ask.

I did it a few years ago. I didnt realise beforehand that you have to be available for 2 weeks. I wasn t looking forward to it but I found the whole thing fascinating and I think it's definitely a life enhancing experience. I hope she enjoys it.

> I didnt realise beforehand that you have to be available for 2 weeks

Many years ago, someone I worked with was on a big fraud case at the Old Bailey - the trial lasted for months :( I think though, the jurors were asked beforehand whether they would be OK with that - self-employed, mothers with children etc were excluded.

Thanks everyone! Have no idea how she will decide though as a 20 year old hairdresser she finds it hard to decide what to wear in the mornings!!

> Have no idea how she will decide though as a 20 year old hairdresser she finds it hard to decide what to wear in the mornings!!

LOL :) If it's of any help, I'd tell her to look at her fellow jurors and see if there is anyone there that she feels is her sort of person - that she feels she would trust. If she listens to what they say and feels that what they say makes sense, then be guided by them - of course, she must make up her own mind at the end when she votes, but listening to other, maybe older, jurors will definitely help :) :)

Do make sure that she knows that she is as important as anyone else on the jury :)