The court will reimburse you for travel, car parking and
childcare expenses. Your employer does not reimburse
you for these expenses.
Can your fee for jury service be paid directly to
your employer?
The fee for attending jury service must be paid to you.
It cannot be paid directly to your employer.
If you attend court for jury service and you are not
needed for the afternoon, or for a particular day,
should you return to work?
If you attend jury service, but are not needed, you
should return to work if you have enough time to do so.
The court will tell you if you might be needed on other
days of that week. You can check this the day before by
phoning the court (the number is on your summons).
You can also check the ‘next day requirements’ for your
court at www.justice.govt.nz/services/jury-service.
Is your jury fee counted as income for tax purposes?
Your jury fee is ‘exempt income’ for tax purposes.
This means you do not have to declare to Inland
Revenue that you or your employer have received jury
fees. For more information, see the Income Tax Act
2007, section CW 26, Jurors’ and witnesses’ fees.
Jury fees are not liable for the ACC earners’ levy.
Jury fees include GST.
If you or your employer still have questions,
contact your nearest court or go to
www.justice.govt.nz/services/jury-service.
You can also email [email protected]
Do you receive payment for jury service?
You will be paid a fee for attending jury service. Shortly
after your jury service, you’ll receive payment for each
half-day you spent at court. You will be paid more if
you have to stay past 6.00pm. Payments are as follows.
Juror fees
First five days Sixth and
you attend
subsequent
court
days you
attend court
For each half-day
$31
$40
If you are at court
between 6.00pm and
9.00pm (this is your
payment for the whole day)
$89
$114
If you are at court after
9.00pm (this is your
payment for the whole day)
$127
Information for employers is on the tear-off panel of
this leaflet. If your employer has further questions,
they can go to www.justice.govt.nz/services/juryservice or email [email protected].
Jury Service
Ratonga Ro-pu- Whakawa-
What do you need to do before court?
Speak to your employer as soon as you receive
your summons.
Make arrangements for your family.
Plan your transport to court and, if driving, think about
where you will park your car. Your car may need to be
in a parking space for the whole day.
Bring something to read or do while you wait. Being a
juror involves some waiting, so you may like to bring
a snack.
$163
Wear tidy clothing.
Be on time.
Don’t do your own research about any trial at court.
In exceptional circumstances, you can apply for an
increased jury fee by contacting the registrar of the
court where you served.
What should you expect at court?
At court, you can expect to find friendly, welcoming
staff. They are there to help you.
What about other expenses such as travelling, parking
and childcare?
You’ll also be reimbursed for your travelling and
parking costs, and you can claim childcare expenses.
You can claim up to $80 a day for childcare provided
by a commercial childcare company.
You may be worried about your personal security
during the trial. We understand this and take all
necessary precautions to make you feel safe. If you
have concerns or feel pressure from anyone at any
time, please tell court staff straight away.
Talk to the court before jury service if you have
a child or children with needs that require more
costly childcare.
What about your job?
You must attend jury service unless your service is
deferred or you are excused by the court. Your employer
cannot stop you attending.
You may turn up to court but not be chosen as a juror
on a trial. Jury trials can be held only if people who are
selected for jury service attend court. Even if you are
not chosen as a juror on a trial, just by attending court
you have completed your jury service.
Courts 101
Aug 2010
Information for people
selected for jury service
This leaflet explains what you need to do now
that you have been selected for jury service.
It also gives you some general information
about jury service.
For more information, you can also
visit the Jury Service website at
www.justice.govt.nz/services/jury-service.
Thank you
Our justice system depends on
people like you serving as jurors.
By participating, you are serving
the community and making the
justice system work for everyone.
Your time and contribution are
greatly appreciated.
What you need to do now
Fill out the response form that came with your jury
summons. The response form lets court staff know
you are attending jury service, so they can prepare
for the trial.
Are you eligible?
Some people are not eligible to serve on juries.
The response form has more information
about eligibility.
In general, you are eligible to serve on a jury if you are:
• currently enrolled on one of New Zealand’s
electoral rolls
• live within a jury district (that is, within 45 kilometres
of the court).
What if you can’t attend?
If you can’t attend jury service on the date you are
required to, you can apply to defer (put off) your
attendance to a later date. However, you must have
a valid reason to put off jury service. The response
form has more information about possible reasons for
putting off your jury service.
What if you can’t attend now or later?
The court can excuse you from attending if you have
a valid reason not to attend. The possible reasons are
outlined on the response form.
You must attend jury service unless your service is put
off or you are excused. If you do not attend, you may be
fined up to $1000.
What is a jury?
A jury is a group of 12 people randomly selected from
the community. Their task is to hear the evidence of
a case, decide on the facts and then reach a verdict –
guilty or not guilty.
Jury service is an important community responsibility.
Justice ultimately depends on the commitment of the
jurors who serve in our courts.
Why do we have juries?
New Zealand inherited its jury system from Britain
when it became a Crown colony in 1840. By 1841,
New Zealand’s jury system was already up and running.
Today, jury trial courts are located throughout
New Zealand. The right to a fair trial by a jury made up
of people from the community is now an essential part
of the New Zealand justice system.
How are people selected for jury service?
If you receive a jury summons, it means your name
has been selected at random from the electoral rolls.
Your summons tells you when and where you need to
report to court.
For your employer
By law, you must attend jury service unless:
• your service has been deferred, or
• you are officially excused from jury service.
What your employer needs to know about your
jury service
Jury service is an important responsibility for
New Zealand citizens and is a key part of our justice
system. It is important that any person who is
summoned to attend jury service does so.
Only the court can defer or excuse you from jury service.
What skills do you need to be on a jury?
You don’t need to be a legal expert to be on a jury.
The judge will help you with any legal information.
People on juries come from all parts of society. Your
experience and the decisions you’ve made in your life
so far are all the preparation you need.
Being a juror might seem challenging, but people also
find it interesting and rewarding. It is your opportunity
to make an important contribution to New Zealand’s
justice system.
Do you need to understand and be able to speak
English fluently?
All court proceedings are in English. Understanding
English is important. If you can understand and take
part in a group conversation in English, you probably
understand English well enough to be on a jury.
If you think you may have trouble understanding the
trial, you should speak to a member of staff at the court.
You may like to tear off this section and give it to
your employer.
Can your employer stop you attending jury service?
Your employer must allow you time away from work
to attend jury service. If you apply to be excused,
your employer can write a letter to support your
application. You will need to include the letter with
your response form. Your employer cannot write
directly to the court.
How long will you be away from work?
Jury service is usually for one week. You may be chosen
to be a juror the morning you arrive at court, later in the
week or not at all. If a trial is scheduled to last longer
than one week, we will tell you in your jury summons.
Sometimes trials run longer than scheduled. If this
happens, the court will give you information as soon as
possible. You must continue your jury service until the
trial ends.
Does your employer pay you for your time away
from work?
Your employer does not have to pay you for your time
on jury service. You will be paid a fee by the court for
jury service. Some employers make up the difference
between the fee and your normal income. Check your
employment agreement to see if your employer does
this, or ask your employer directly.