The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7172 p633-638
3 November 2001

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Pharmacists likely to lose jury service exemption

Most practising pharmacists can expect to lose their automatic exemption from calls to serve on juries.

A review of the criminal court system by Sir Robin Auld, a senior Appeal Court judge, says that no one should be excused jury service as of right. Exemption should only be available to people who can show good reason for it. Currently, practising pharmacists are excused from jury service by right under the Juries Act 1974.

Sir Robin says that pharmacists, and members of other health professions covered by the exemption (doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and veterinary practitioners) should only be able defer summonses for jury service or be excused when they can show that it is vital for them to be available to fulfil their professional duties for the period covered by their summons. Even then, Sir Robin says that deferral, not exemption, should be the aim.

The review is open to public consultation until 31 January 2001.

"Review of the criminal courts of England and Wales", is available from HM Stationery Office. It can also be found on the internet at www.criminal-courts-review.org.uk.

Back to Top