Juries: Breastfeeding

(asked on 12th April 2021) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to introduce an exemption from jury service to people breastfeeding.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 15th April 2021

Currently all jurors, including breastfeeding women, can apply to change the date of their jury service, (to a maximum of 12 months after the original date) if the original date is inconvenient for any good reason. If a juror believes they cannot serve at any time within the next 12 months, they can apply for an excusal. Deferral and excusal applications are considered by summoning officers at the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB). This is done on individual merit and is done carefully, sympathetically and with regard to individual circumstances.

While it is vital juries represent a cross-section of society, we are urgently reviewing our guidance to make it clearer that new mothers should be able to serve at a time that is right for them.

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