What serving on a jury is like

What jury service involves

You do not need special knowledge or skills to serve as a juror. You will use your judgement and fairness to decide the facts of a case. The judge will explain the law you need to know.

With a few exceptions, anyone charged with a serious criminal offence can choose a jury trial. Some civil cases are also tried with juries, such as defamation or personal injury cases.

A jury has 12 jurors. They decide the verdict based on the evidence presented in court.

Why jury service is important

Jury service is an important duty as an Irish citizen. It protects individual rights and involves the public in the justice system. The right to a jury trial is a key principle in Irish law.

Payment

You are not paid for jury service and you will not get travel expenses. However, you will be paid by your employer during the trial, or your social welfare payments will continue. Lunch is provided for serving jurors.

What to wear

There is no formal dress code. Do not wear clothing with political or offensive slogans.

Breaks

You will get regular breaks. You can also request a bathroom break at any time.

What happens on the day

Selection

On the first day, all people summoned for jury service must attend court. Court staff select jurors’ names at random. If called, you will go to the jury box.

More people are called than needed, so you may not be selected. The judge may dismiss you for that day, but you must return each day until told otherwise.

Swearing in

You become a juror only when you:

• are called into the jury box
• swear an oath on a holy book of your choice or affirm (make a formal promise without a holy book) that you will return a true verdict based on the evidence

Trial length

The judge will tell you how long the trial is likely to last. Most cases finish within 10 working days. The usual court day is 10am to 4:30pm, but this can vary.

Challenges

The accused person can ask up to seven people not to serve on the jury without giving a reason. The prosecution can do the same. This is not personal — it helps ensure fairness.

If you know someone involved

If you know the accused, a witness, or anyone connected with the trial, tell the judge before you are sworn in. If you discover a connection after the trial starts, tell the judge immediately through the foreperson.