From today, members of the public summoned to jury service will be able to respond online.
The online system enables people to confirm their availability, request a different date, or have someone else respond for them, and takes less than ten minutes to complete. If the juror accepts the date it automatically uploads to the online system, saving court staff time.
HMCTS has tested the new service extensively over recent months, with 12,000 jurors trialling the system at Preston Crown Court, Guildford Crown Court, Southwark Crown Court and the Central Criminal Court. The results prove that there is a strong appetite for the new system with nearly a fifth of the jurors (19%) responding within seven days, a marked improvement on the one percent who did so under the old paper form.
Enabling people to respond to a jury service summons online is the latest step in the £1bn reform programme to modernise the courts system and ensure it is fit for the 21st century.
The old paper form remains available for those who struggle with technology, whilst telephone support is available for anyone who needs help using the new system.
The online system is one of many ways that we are making access to justice easier for everyone through our court reform programme. Other examples include:
- The roll out across England and Wales of a service which allows people to apply for a divorce online.
- A new paperless system, in operation at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, which means thousands of offenders caught dodging fares or using fraudulent tickets can now be punished more swiftly and effectively.
- The launch of a new digital service which allows people to submit appeals over their tax bill entirely online.
You can read the press release in full here.