Help! Just called for Jury Service and need childcare Post Reply

[aliyeo]

Hi,

I have just opened a letter saying I am called for Jury Service to the Old Bailey on may 20th for a minimum of two weeks. I have a 2 and 4 year old and gave up work to mind them so I don't have a childminder. I spoke to the court clerk who said that you cannot wriggle out but they contribute towards childcare cost if necessary (max £64 daily for all children which is frankly not enough but thats another issue). I have to use a registered childminder to claim (ofsted). It is unlikely that they will have me for more than two weeks as apparently I can make a case about that being two tricky directly to a Judge.

Does anyone have any brilliant suggestions on how to find a registered childminder who would work temporarily and ideally for £64 a day!!? Please help. Any suggestions would be much appreciated

Thanks,
Ali

[susieq]

You used to be able to ask to move/postpone the dates , perhaps to a more convenient time when you could nanny share with a friend or during the summer when nurseries might be able to fit in extra children for a few weeks while other families are away ?
I had a part time nanny when I was called up and I was able to claim the additional childcare costs even though she was not OFSTED registered as a nanny. There has to be some flexibility from the courts as parents may use nannies or nurseries or childminders for child care . I think they are just trying to prevent misuse of the system by example individuals claiming and getting friends/relatives to look after the child(ren) for free. In my experience the cases also finished a lot earlier than expected and I was often home at much the same time as I would have been when I was at work but of course there is very little visibility on this front.

[aliyeo]

Thanks for your reply and info. I am going to speak to the courts again as I do have lovely woman who used to mind the children when I worked full-time who is potentially available but she is not Ofsted registered which seems to be the stumbling block.

Cheers

[shellbell83]

I know a lovely childminder..

She is available and willing for these dates and price
Please give her a call and tell her Michelle gave you her number

Her number is 07746 487798

[schoolgatesmum]

I got out of jury service because I had young children (although I was still breast feeding). I'm on a list now and will likely get called again although it's been 8 years now!

[dobrzynka1]

I have been called for jury service as well last year and I was excused because I had a 1 year old. Try sending them a letter or call again.

[Helgibbs]

Hi
What area are you in, and does your 4 year old go to school or nursery?
Thanks,
Helen

[jafina]

I was excused jury service a few years ago as I had pre-schoolers at home. I am surprised they are still insisting you do it. I definitely suggest you write a letter and ask to be excused.

[aliyeo]

I am so grateful to you Susieq as I telephoned the court clerk who said that they would accept an expenses claim for childcare from an unregistered childminder as long as it was within their daily limit of £64.

Thanks everyone who has posted and in particular if you were offering your yourself for work. At present my old childminder is available for the time I need her so that is brilliant news for me and my little ones.

[littlechicken]

I also got out of jury service for caring for a young one. Apparently I am now on a list and my name should come up again in the future. I doubt they can force you to use chid lcare with such young children. Best of luck!

[Mumptious]

I was called up twice in the last year and as I have children (4&6yrs) for who I am the primary carer I was excused. I was happy to attend but had to be free from 3pm to collect them from school as this was not possible my application to be excused was accepted.

You just need to write a letter stating a clear and strong case which as a primary carer for small children you have. Given that you have been called to the Old Bailey you might end up on a trial that lasts longer than two weeks although some last far less time.

You will be added back to the court list but lovely man who discussed my application to be excused with me stated that it is likely that my children will be old enough to be called up before I get asked again!

[golfwidow]

Hi!

I got called to the Old Bailey too and for different reasons I couldn't serve for longer than two weeks either. For the first two days, I was summoned to about four cases but wasn't selected as they couldn't guarantee that it would last less than two weeks. On the second day, we were about to be let go, as all of the cases get filled on either the Monday or Tuesday, but then, at the last minute, we were called to one that lasted a week. So, if you make the case for not being able to serve longer than two weeks, as they have so many big cases like murder, GBH etc, they often will pass you over for another juror and so you may be able to get out of it in the end!

S

[mummyhelp]

I got called up for May as well and asked to postpone it and they have put me in for May next year!

[aliyeo]

You are allowed to appeal directly to the court to ask that you serve a maximum of two weeks in circumstances such as main carer, thank goodness!

I actually think it could be very interesting and enlightening to see how our justice system prevails. So I am happy to serve for a period of two weeks. Like some one said, it would be easier once the children are in school but it is not that difficult really.