Introduction
You do not need special knowledge or abilities to serve as a juror. You will be asked to use your sense of judgement and fairness to decide the facts of a case.
The judge in the case will explain everything else you need to know regarding the law.
With a few exceptions, anyone charged with a serious criminal offence can choose a jury trial. Some civil cases are also tried with juries (like defamation or personal injury cases).
A jury, made up of 12 jurors, gives a verdict based on the evidence produced in a court case.
Why jury service matters
Jury service is one of the most important duties that you can be asked to perform as an Irish citizen. Jury service exists to protect an individual’s rights and to involve the public in the administration of justice.
This right to a jury trial is one of the most important principles in Irish law.
Payment for jury service
You are not paid for jury service nor will you receive travel expenses. However, you will get paid by your employer during the duration of the trial or your social welfare payments will continue.
Lunch will be provided to serving jurors during the trial.
Dress code for jury service
One of the most common questions we get asked by potential jurors is 'what should I wear?'
There are no formal requirements for what you should wear to serve on a jury except that you should not wear any item of clothing with a political or offensive slogan.
Another question we get asked is around bathroom breaks. Regular breaks are provided during jury service and of course you can request a bathroom break whenever needed.
What happens on the day
Jurors are selected
All people summoned for jury service must attend in court on the first day the jury panel is formed. Court staff select names of jurors randomly for a particular case. If they call your name, you have to go to the jury box.
More people than necessary are usually called, so you may not be selected on the day. The judge may then dismiss you from jury service for that particular day. However, you must return to court every day, until the court tells you otherwise, so you can make yourself available to be sworn on to a jury for another case.
Jurors are sworn in
You do not become a juror until you:
- have been called into the jury box AND
- have either sworn (on a holy book of your choice) or 'affirmed' that you will try the issues and return a true verdict, according to the evidence.
Duration of the trial
You will be told at the start of the trial by the judge how long the case is expected to last. (Most cases are completed within 10 working days but every trial is different.)
Once you are selected on a jury, the working day is usually 10.00am to 4.30pm. However, hours of attendance may vary and depend on the judge.
Prosecution challenges
An accused person may challenge up to seven prospective jurors. A challenge means that they may say that they don’t want certain jurors and can do so without giving any reason.
The prosecution may also challenge seven prospective jurors. If your presence on the jury is successfully challenged, you will have to step down.
You should not let this upset you. It is not a personal reflection on you. Challenges are allowed to ensure that there is absolute fairness in the proceedings.
What happens if you know someone taking part in the trial
It may happen that you know the accused person, a witness, someone taking part in the trial, or you are in some way connected with the case.
In all these situations you must let the judge know before you have been sworn in or have affirmed. If you become aware of a connection after the trial has begun, you should immediately send a note to the judge through the foreperson of the jury.