This information applies to Northern Ireland

If you have an important family event, such as a holiday that is already booked and paid for, you can ask to postpone your jury service, but this must be requested at least one week before you are required to attend as a juror. A long standing hospital appointment, recovery from an operation or a family wedding may also be reasons to ask for a postponement. Postponing for these reasons is known as deferral of jury service.

Your holiday may prevent you from serving on a jury at the time that you are summoned but won't prevent you from serving at another date. If your service is deferred, you will be asked to confirm any other dates in the year when you won't be able to attend, so that you are given a new date that is convenient. Jury service can only be deferred once. You must be able to provide booking confirmation/tickets at least one week before you are required to attend for your jury service.

You apply to have your jury service deferred by completing part two of your jury summons form. When this has been accepted, you will get a letter confirming the deferral and giving you a new date for your jury service. You cannot defer twice and must attend on this second occasion.

You can find out more about Jury service at www.courtsni.gov.uk.

Other Frequently asked questions about legal matters:

• Can I claim money I am owed by taking a case to court?
• I need a solicitor but I don’t have much money, what can I do?
• My partner has been sent to prison - where can I get advice and information for myself and for her?
• I'm very busy at work - do I have to do jury service?
• I've been summoned for jury service. I've been convicted of a driving offence in the past. Will it affect my serving on the jury?