Jury Duty

C

chol

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Posts
34
Hello

Was wondering if anyone has had to deal with this before. I got a prospective juror notice for QLD after I had booked an overseas trip worth over 8k. The dates clash and I have non refundable tickets. I thought it was a pretty valid reason but apparently not and my excusal was denied! Anyone had any luck reapplying or going in before having to ask the judge on court day?
 
chol said:
Hello

Was wondering if anyone has had to deal with this before. I got a prospective juror notice for QLD after I had booked an overseas trip worth over 8k. The dates clash and I have non refundable tickets. I thought it was a pretty valid reason but apparently not and my excusal was denied! Anyone had any luck reapplying or going in before having to ask the judge on court day?
Click to expand...
Just have your employer write up a letter that you’re needed at work.

How random is the Jury duty in QLD, both my son and i received our “ letters” a day apart, for the same jury dates !!
 
My husband was in the same situation and there was a option to dispute their decline by downloading a stat dec (signed by JP) that he uploaded to their portal and he got a response about 3 days later advising it was accepted and he was no longer to appear for that jury duty.

Edit. Worse case scenario, we were going to fight them with copy of boarding passes ect if they fined him
 
I find that surprising. I received a notification in Vic this year for a period that included pre-booked holiday travel. The overall period in which the jury service could fall was I think 3 months and straight away I was excused for that period I was away (about 3 weeks). The only evidence I supplied was a MEL-LHR flight itinerary during the service dates. In the end my date was at the very start of the possible service period, so it seems easy and reasonable enough that they can work around your absent dates and 'use' you during the time you are available.
 
A year or so back I got a call up for what was possible a 3 month trial! I got my accountant to write a letter saying how as I run a small business I am unable to take time for jury duty (or words to that effect) and it's given me "permanent" exclusion. Will see how I go.
I was called up for the first time in my life about 15 years ago and got to the jury selection stage but they got a full jury before my name came up. So I got a letter saying I was off the list for a few years.
None of this is helpful to you of course. Just my experience.
 
Tell them you are a woman. That was an acceptable excuse in QLD in 1990 when I, a student, was empanelled on three juries in four weeks.

If you are a dude or the rules have changed, I'd contest the denial. They won't make you attend if it's going to cause you a significant financial loss. Maybe your travel insurance would cover it if they still insist.
 
It's bizarre. I'm only away for 1.5 weeks out of the 5 asked, and I clearly booked and paid for everything before I was asked. I'm going to try and go in on Thursday or Friday and see if anyone at the courts can help me.
 
I was called to the Supreme Court in Victoria, and they just told us to wait until we were in front of the judge. It was a fairly simple process in explaining the reason, and about 10 of us were dismissed. Although I had the opposite in the past 12 months, I was an expert witness in the Supreme Court again, and the case ran over, and the new date was in February. We were told not to go anywhere, so it resulted in a bit of plane-shuffling.
I think I would try all avenues, as I have found court staff seem to be sympathetic (for those not guilty!!!)
 
jastel said:
Being overseas IS a proper excuse on the QLD Courts website???
There are many other reasons, work, monetary, carer, age, religious beliefs.

If ALL that fail just turn up wearing a Trump T Shirt....
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I think that means you are actually overseas at the time you get the jury call up letter. It says you need to state the date you left (past tense) and the date you will be back to Australia.

Bit miserable!

I would perhaps try the financial hardship route? The flights are non refundable which would cause you financial loss.

Many travel insurance policies cover cancellation due to jury service. But I think it’s harsh to have to get to that stage.
 
I've read the actual policy document, and from what I can tell I should be allowed to be excused. I'm going to go in this week, if that fails I'll re-apply for excusal but use some different wording that aligns with the policy. If that fails and I actually get selected I'll try the judge, but I hate to leave it until the last minute before I leave. Painful. Will report back on my fun experience.
 
chol said:
It's bizarre. I'm only away for 1.5 weeks out of the 5 asked, and I clearly booked and paid for everything before I was asked. I'm going to try and go in on Thursday or Friday and see if anyone at the courts can help me.
Click to expand...

Complete a stat dec form and have it witnessed, and also have a certified copy of your booked (air) travel, highlighting where it shows the date you booked it (if it does). If the latter doesn't, bring in a certified copy of your credit card statement or other payment method.

Unhelpful to you, but I was on a jury years ago and from what I recall, it was relatively painless. But a lengthy trial would be burdensome. The good news is even if you're in 'the pool', your chances of selection are still minor.
 
Sorry, I haven't had any experience appealing but that's crazy it was denied - what did you supply as evidence?

I have been excused in NSW before on the basis of having already booked/paid for a holiday, and the QLD jury duty website suggests a pre-booked holiday is sufficient grounds for being excused as well.

Hope you get it sorted out!
 
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Pity you could have said that you have this certain mental incapacity to understand logical thoughts, ahem ahem.
Are they going to challenge that?
Turns out they want docs csrt for this.
Or you fear for your life if the criminal side sees you on the jury pool.
If its an (open) criminal court case, the criminals support group would also attend.
===
Did you get the questionnaire?
===
www.courts.qld.gov.au

Being excused from jury service

Reasons you may be able to be excused from jury service and the application process, and partial and permanent excusal
www.courts.qld.gov.au www.courts.qld.gov.au

Being overseas​

If you are overseas, complete the form online or have someone return the notice via mail and include a letter stating the date you left, how long you will be overseas and the date you expect to return.
 
Last edited:
AustraliaPoochie said:
Pity you could have said that you have this certain mental incapacity to understand logical thoughts, ahem ahem.
Are they going to challenge that?
Turns out they want docs csrt for this.
Or you fear for your life if the criminal side sees you on the jury pool.
If its an (open) criminal court case, the criminals support group would also attend.
===
Did you get the questionnaire?
===
www.courts.qld.gov.au

Being excused from jury service

Reasons you may be able to be excused from jury service and the application process, and partial and permanent excusal
www.courts.qld.gov.au www.courts.qld.gov.au

Being overseas​

If you are overseas, complete the form online or have someone return the notice via mail and include a letter stating the date you left, how long you will be overseas and the date you expect to return.
Click to expand...
The ‘being overseas’ exception appears to apply if you are overseas at the time you receive your notice requiring jury service. Not that you will be away when you have to do it.
 
yachty said:
Sorry, I haven't had any experience appealing but that's crazy it was denied - what did you supply as evidence?

I have been excused in NSW before on the basis of having already booked/paid for a holiday, and the QLD jury duty website suggests a pre-booked holiday is sufficient grounds for being excused as well.

Hope you get it sorted out!
Click to expand...
I supplied all paid invoices as evidence, showing non refundable flights booked and paid before the jury notice and non refundable event tickets etc... Thanks!
 

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