Participating in jury trials in Scotland: Remote Jury Centres

Remote jury centres

Jurors normally take their place in a jury box in a courtroom to participate in court proceedings. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic a separate remote jury centre was established, which makes sure that the jury can all physically distance while hearing evidence and taking part in deliberations about the case. 

Some jurors cited to appear for a High Court or Sheriff Court Solemn trial will continue to attend remote jury centres for the time being.  

Jurors view the trial proceedings live on screen with all other trial participants attending the courtroom.

These facilities have been specifically designed to provide a safe environment for jurors and support the administration of justice.

We have also developed three short films which are at the bottom of this page – one each for jurors, witnesses and practitioners – to help participants understand and adapt to jury trials with the jury at jury centres. These videos should be viewed noting the revised guidance coming to court (PDF)
  

Do I need to attend at the court?

If you are cited to attend a remote jury centre then you attend that location and you should not attend the court building.

Balloting of Jurors

For criminal trials:

Balloting the jury is done in advance without the jurors being present. Only the 15 jurors balloted to participate, plus a small number of substitutes, will attend the jury centre for the trial, with each jury being supported by a court officer.  The Jury Information Sheet (PDF) provides a fuller explanation for jurors on the process. 

For civil jury trials:

Balloting the jury is done on the first day of the trial at the jury centre. All cited civil jurors should attend at the jury centre for balloting. The jury will be supported by a court officer. The Jury Information Sheet for civil jurors (PDF) provides a fuller explanation for jurors on the process – this document is sent to you with your citation.

However, you should still contact the jury helpline, provided on your citation, by telephone after 5pm the day before your citation commences.

Guides to jury service

These guides will provide you with helpful information including details on preparing for jury service, what to expect at court, the role of the judge and the jury, how the trial will proceed and a glossary of terms.

Guide to jury service in the High Court and sheriff court (PDF)

Guide to jury service in the Court of Session (PDF)

Eligibility and excusal from Jury service

If you feel your particular circumstances may merit excusal from service, you should review the information provided below and in our Guide to Eligibility and Excusal (PDF).

This guide also provides details about those people who are not qualified for jury service, disqualified from jury service or ineligible for jury service. 

It is an offence to serve on a jury knowing that you fall into any of these three categories.

The guide sets out who is entitled to ask to the court to be excused from jury service, as this is possible in certain, specific circumstances. If you wish to apply for excusal on the basis of ill-health (COVID-19 or non-COVID-19) or physical disability, then you must enclose a medical certificate along with your application for excusal. This can normally be obtained free of charge from your GP. 

If you wish to apply for excusal due to another special reason, for example commitments at work, cancellation of which would cause abnormal inconvenience either to yourself or others, or holiday plans which would be difficult or expensive to rearrange, you should complete the relevant sections of the application. You must also provide evidence of this, for example booking confirmation or letter from your employer. Applications for excusals are dealt with sympathetically by the courts, however, it must be understood that in some circumstances, the court may not be able to excuse individuals.

For more information, please make contact through the telephone number provided with your citation.

Accessibility

If you are disabled, or have accessibility or support requirements, please contact the court on receipt of your citation to discuss what arrangements can be made for you. Remote jury centres will be accessible for those with mobility impairment. They are sound-enhanced and some have the Induction Loop (SIL) or Phonic Ear System fitted for the benefit of those with hearing difficulties.

If you feel that, due to illness or disability, you could not follow the evidence, you should inform the clerk of court before you attend the court by completing the application for exemption or excusal from jury service. You must also provide a medical certificate. If your doctor considers your condition is long term or unlikely to change, please ask your doctor to include this information in your medical certificate.

Medical certificates which are requested from GPs for the purpose of jury service are exempt from payment. This is in terms of The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2018. You should therefore tell the GP surgery of the purpose of the certificate and if you have any difficulty in getting the certificate free of charge you should refer the surgery to the above regulations.