Juror allowances

With effect from 1 April 2004, the maximum daily rates of the financial loss allowances available to jurors are as follows:

• up to 4 hours - £;27.60, or £;55.19 on the 11th and following days
• more than 4 hours - £;55.19, or £;110.40 on the 11th and following days.

Source: Jury Central Summoning Bureau - 08453 555567
...back to 9 April 2004

Juror allowances

With effect from 1 April 2003, the maximum daily rates of the financial loss allowances available to jurors are as follows:

• up to 4 hours - £;26.85, or £;53.69 on the 11th and following days
• more than 4 hours - £;53.68, or £;107.39 on the 11th and following days.

(Source: Jury Central Summoning Bureau - 08453 555567)
...back to 23rd May 2003

Juror allowances

The allowances for financial loss during jury service, applicable since 4 June 2001, have increased by 1.8% from 1 April 2002. The new maximum daily rates are as follows:

• for up to the first ten days of jury service
• not more than 4 hours - £;26.32
• more than 4 hours - £;52.64
• from the eleventh day of jury service
• not more than 4 hours - £;52.64
• more than 4 hours - £;105.28

Payroll Briefing 224 - 23 May 2002

Justices of the Peace

The role of Justice of the Peace (JP) can be traced back to the 12th century and the title came into use in 1361. At that time, Justices could investigate crime, and arrest and punish offenders. Today, JPs work as magistrates in local magistrates courts, handling a wide range of criminal and civil matters.

Section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 requires employers to permit employees who are justices of the peace to take time off during their working hours to perform the duties required of magistrates. The amount of time off and the number of days they may take must be "reasonable in all the circumstances" taking into consideration the amount of time demanded of the role and the effect on the employer's business of the periods of absence.

Magistrates are required to sit a minimum of 26 half days in a year but must endeavour to be available for up to 35 half days. In practice, that means that most JPs are in court for the equivalent of 18 full days in a year. Any training is normally done during their free time in the evenings and at weekends. They are not normally appointed under the age of 27.

Although there is no statutory obligation for employers to pay JPs during their absences from work, many employers pay them in full nevertheless. Where they are not paid, JPs may claim a financial loss allowance, currently up to £;41.78 for a half-day and up to £;83.56 for a full day. In addition, they may claim travelling and subsistence allowances.

In order to make a claim, a JP who is an employee and whose pay is reduced while working as a magistrate has to provide either a letter from the employer or a copy of a payslip showing that a deduction has been made. JPs are encouraged to make such claims monthly.

New guidance notes on claiming Justice's allowances were issued in January 2002. A copy may be viewed on the website of the Court Service, at www.courtservice.gov.uk/....htm . General information about magistrates and employment is available on the Lord Chancellor's website, at www.lcd.gov.uk/magist/magistfr.htm and the Magistrate's Association website at www.magistrates-association.org.uk .
Payroll Briefing 219 - 6 March 2002

Juror allowances

The allowances for financial loss during jury service, applicable since 1 May 2000, have increased by 2% from 4 June 2001. The new maximum daily rates are as follows:
• for up to the first ten days of jury service
- not more than 4 hours - £;25.85
- more than 4 hours - £;51.68
• from the eleventh day of jury service
- not more than 4 hours - £;51.68
- more than 4 hours - £;103.39
Payroll Briefing 205 - 4 July 2001