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A five-minute primer on an issue making headlines

Agonising decisions that can make or break other people's lives. Not something to be taken lightly ...

I've been called for jury duty. What does that mean exactly?

It means that you are being called to court to potentially sit through a trial and help deliver a verdict.

Yes, but why me?

You  qualify under one of the following criteria: you're a resident of Hong Kong aged between 21 and 65; you're of sound mind and have no hearing or visual disabilities that might prevent you serving as a juror; you're of good character; and you have sufficient knowledge of English or Chinese. Potential lists of jurors are drawn up every two years and each week the Registrar of the High Court draws jurors from the list at random. Guess your number came up.

What if I don't want to go?

You're given at least 14 days' notice before you're supposed to present yourself at High Court or the Coroner's Court.  Not all jurors called to jury service actually have to sit through a trial. You can check a Jurors' Attendance Notice on the judiciary website to find out a day in advance  if there are any court cases at the High Court requiring jury empanelling on the day you are scheduled to appear.

But what if it says there is a court case and I'm going to be empanelled?

Each High Court jury is selected by open ballot in the court from among those summoned. More jurors are normally called than are required.

How many jurors are there on the jury?

In the most serious criminal cases such as murder or rape, there is usually a jury of seven. In some circumstances a judge can order nine people to sit on the jury. In the Coroner's Court, a jury of five is chosen.

I hear some people are exempt

Quite a few, including: Executive and Legislative Council members; judges, lawyers and other officers of the court; Department of Justice, Legal Aid Department,  police, immigration, custom, ICAC, correctional services, customs,  probation and juvenile services officers; foreign consuls and vice-consuls and their families; dentists, doctors and vets; daily newspaper editors; pilots, sailors and soldiers; students; and members of religious orders.

That's quite a list, but I'm still not on it. I'm a very busy person and I don't have time for this.

You could try to state your case to the Registrar by writing to that office three days in advance. It's possible you'll be granted an exemption if attending the court puts a major financial burden on you.  You can possibly be granted a delay if you are the sole carer for children or someone elderly.

What if I just don't show up?

I wouldn't do that if I were you. Failure to attend in response to a jury summons is an offence and you can be fined up to $5,000.

Do I get paid?

You get a juror's allowance of $280 a day, and your employer is required to continue paying you while you attend court.



Jury service in Hong Kong