Increase Compensation for Jury Service to National Minimum Wage Requirements

Background

Compensation for lost earnings in jury service is a maximum of £65 per day which does not match minimum wage requirements. We believe such compensation must be raised to national minimum wage levels as the current system causes great financial hardship to jurors through no fault of their own.

Additional details

We feel that citizens are forced into jury service under the draconian threat of criminal fines if they do not comply. For many, this can mean forfeiting a minimum of 2 weeks wages. We believe the fact that jurors receive so little compensation despite the increasing living costs as well as potential travel and childcare costs is unfair and untenable. Furthermore, we think that loss of earnings may cause jurors to feel resentment towards the accused, thereby negatively impacting the right to a fair and impartial jury of their peers.

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