How do I apply to be excused from jury service?
If you are unable to attend court on your summons date and have good reason under the Jury Act 1977, you can apply to be excused. Ensure you apply for excusal as soon as possible and at least 10 business days before your court attendance date listed on the summons letter.
If you receive a summons letter at short notice, you should attend court, where you may be able to apply for excusal.
Supporting documentation is required for your excusal application to be considered.
The NSW Sheriff's Office assess applications for excusals in line with legislation and determine outcome on a case-by-case basis. We understand that serving on a jury may be an interruption and possibly an inconvenience to your daily life.
The best way to apply to be excused is to log onto the juror website and submit your excusal application, along with supporting documents.
What documents do I need?
Some reasons to be excused or exempt from jury service are listed below, with examples of supporting documentation you can provide to us:
Reason |
Example of documentation required |
Parent / legal guardian of children under 17 |
Photocopy of youngest child's birth certificate and if employed; letter from your employer stating hours of work to care for child during business/court hours |
Living with and caring full time for a sick or disabled person |
Photocopy of current carers card, or current letter from Doctor |
Illness / Injury / Disability |
Letter from Doctor, current work comp letter / certificate, or photocopy of current disability pension card |
Pregnancy |
Letter from Doctor or Midwife |
Sole Trader |
ABN certificate or ABN number |
Sole Director of a PTY LTD business |
ABN number and accountant letter confirming company only has 1 director and number of employees/advising severe impact on business |
Doctor / Pharmacist / Dentist / Nurse / Paramedic |
Photocopy of credentials or AHPRA registration number |
Fire / Rescue |
Letter from employer or current ID card |
Police |
Photocopy of Police ID |
Parliamentary Member |
Photocopy of credentials |
Army / Navy / Air Force / Customs / Border Security Officer |
Letter from employer or current ID card |
Australian Lawyer (whether an Australian practitioner) / Judicial officer |
Photocopy of credentials or Supreme Court admission certificate |
Clergy, or vowed member of any religious order |
Letter from employer / institution |
Unable to read or understand English |
|
Moved to different jury district or interstate |
Proof of address documentation |
Moved overseas |
Proof of address documentation |
Travelling (booked prior to summons) |
Travel Itinerary/Tickets |
Need to attend lectures or exams |
Copy of timetable / enrolment letter |
Criminal history |
Copy of order or a letter from the gaol |
Work commitments |
Letter from employer detailing essential/unusual work commitments/impact. Your employer cannot ask for you to be excused on your behalf, but they can give you supporting documents if you need to apply to be excused from jury service. |
Other good cause |
Current documentation and a letter outlining your reasons to be excused |
Note: If you provide false or misleading information in your application to be excused, you may be fined up to $5,500 and subject to legal action.
A Statutory Declaration can also be submitted along with your application for excusal and supporting documentation. All Statutory Declarations must be signed by an authorised witness such as a justice of the peace, notary public, or Australian legal practitioner.
Jury statutory declaration
- Jury Exemption Language - Statutory Declaration (PDF, 81.6 KB)
- Statutory Declaration (PDF, 7.5 KB).
Other ways you can apply to be excused
You can apply to be excused on the day that you attend for jury service.
- You may present the reasons for why you should be excused to a NSW Sheriff's Office staff member before you receive your juror card. Your reasons will be considered. Bring with you any supporting documents, such as letters from your employer or doctor.
- You can also make a request to be excused to the judge or coroner when you are called into court. If your reasons relate to your health or would cause you embarrassment or distress if made public, you can make a written application and ask for it to be handed to the judge. You should raise your concerns when invited to by the judge, and before being empanelled.
You can email your application to be excused and the necessary supporting documentation to the NSW Sheriff’s Office, Jury Branch at sheriff.jury@dcj.nsw.gov.au, outlining the reason the excusal is sought.
By completing the application to be excused form attached to the jury summons letter and returning the completed form together with supporting documentation via post to the address provided on that letter.
You can request an excusal before your summons date by attending a District Court location in NSW prior to the summons
date and requesting an excusal, along with supporting documentation. NSW Sheriff’s Office staff at the courthouse can assist with processing the request for excusal.
How do I find out the outcome of my excusal application?
Once you have submitted your excusal application, you will need to wait for a response on the outcome. The outcome should take approximately 10 working days.
You can check the outcome of your excusal application by logging on to the juror website. You can also check your attendance requirements by calling the Juror Information Line on 1300 780 199
Please do not assume you have been excused if you do not receive confirmation. If you have not received an outcome before your court attendance date, you must still attend court.
If you do not attend, and have not been excused, you can be fined up to $2,2000.
Can I be called up for jury service again?
If you are excused from attending jury service this time, you could receive another summons for a later date if your name is still on the jury roll. This could happen several times in the year that you are on the jury roll. There is no limit to the number of times you may be summoned while on a jury roll.
If you come to court and make yourself available to serve on a jury, but are not selected as a juror, you will be exempted from further jury service for 12 months. You can ask to remain on the jury roll if you wish to do so. Our staff can assist you with this on the day you are at court.
If you are selected to serve as a juror on a trial, you will have the right to be exempt for a period of 3 years. You can ask to remain on the jury roll if you wish to do so. Our staff can assist you with this on the day you complete jury service.
Courts Service Centre 1300 679 272 (general information)
Mon - Fri, 9am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays)
Juror Information Line 1300 780 199 (to confirm attendance requirements)
Email: sheriff.jury@dcj.nsw.gov.au
Last updated:
10 Feb 2025
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