Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what childcare provision is available for people called for jury service.

There are no child-minding facilities at court. If jurors need to make specific childcare arrangements whilst on jury service they may be able to claim this through expenses as a financial loss.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service recognise that sometimes it may be inconvenient for some people to serve on the date originally summoned, for reasons which could include the needs of a child. Jurors are given the opportunity when responding to their summons to apply for a deferral to a more suitable date within the next twelve months. Those that believe they cannot serve as a juror at any time during the next 12 months can apply to be excused from their jury service.

Deferral and excusal applications are considered by summoning officers at the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB). Each application is carefully considered on its own merits and in light of individual circumstances.