Jury fees refer to the compensation provided to individuals serving as jurors. These fees are intended to offset the personal expenses incurred during jury service, though they often do not equate to standard employment wages.
Australia
Federal court
Jurors serving in the Federal Court of Australia are entitled to an attendance fee and may claim travel allowances.[1]
State courts
Each state and territory administers its own jury system. For example:
New South Wales — Jurors receive A$106.3 per day for the first ten days. From the eleventh day onward, employed jurors receive A$247.4 per day, while unemployed jurors continue to receive A$106.3106.30 per day. Additionally, a travel allowance of A$0.307 per kilometer is provided.[2]
Queensland — Individuals summoned but not selected for a jury panel receive A$47.95 per day. Empaneled jurors earn A$143.4 per day, with an additional A$47.95 per day after the 20th weekday of service.[3]
Western Australia — Employers are required to continue paying the usual wages or salary to employees, regardless of their employment status (full-time, part-time, or casual), during jury service.
Employer obligations
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, full-time and part-time employees are entitled to ‘make-up pay’ for the first ten days of jury service. This ensures employees receive their usual base pay, with employers compensating the difference between the jury duty payment and the employee’s standard earnings. Casual employees are generally excluded from this entitlement.[4]
State-specific legislation may impose additional obligations. For example, in New South Wales, employers are required to pay employees for the first ten days of jury service; this obligation does not extend to casual employees.[5]
Taxation of jury fees
Attendance fees paid to employed jurors are considered assessable income and must be declared in tax returns, unless the fees are remitted to the employer.[6]
Canada
In Canada, each jurisdiction establishes its own policies regarding daily fees, employer obligations, and expense reimbursements.
Jurors in Nova Scotia receive $40 per day for each day of service as well as reimbursement for travel expenses at a rate of 20 cents per kilometer and for parking costs.
United Kingdom
Loss of earnings and care costs
Jurors can claim compensation for loss of earnings and certain care expenses, with amounts determined by the duration of daily court attendance and the length of service.[9]
First 10 days of service: Up to £64.95 per day for attendance exceeding 4 hours and up to £32.47 per day for attendance of 4 hours or less.
After 10 days working days: Up to £129.91 per day for attendance exceeding 4 hours and up to £64.95 per day for attendance of 4 hours or less.
Travel expenses
Jurors are reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while commuting to court, with reimbursement rates depending on the mode of transportation.[9]
Public transport: Full cost of bus or standard-class train tickets
Private vehicle: Mileage allowance of 31.4p per mile for cars and motorcycles
Bicycle: Allowance of 9.6p per mile
Taxi: Reimbursement of fare, subject to prior court approval
Subsistence allowance
To cover meals and refreshments during court attendance, jurors may claim a subsistence allowance based on the duration spent at court each day.[9]
Up to £5.71 per day for attendance up to 10 hours
Up to £12.17 per day for attendance exceeding 10 hours
Employer obligations
Employers are not obligated to provide compensation during an employee’s jury service. If an employer chooses not to pay, the employee can claim a loss of earnings allowance from the court. Employers must complete a Certificate of Loss of Earnings.[10]
United States
Federal court
At the federal level, jurors receive an attendance fee of $50 per day for their service. This rate applies to both petit jurors, who serve on trial juries, and grand jurors, who participate in grand jury proceedings. For petit jurors serving more than ten days on a trial, the presiding judge has the discretion to increase the daily compensation to $60. Similarly, grand jurors may receive up to $60 per day after 45 days of service. Federal employees, excluding those working for the U.S. Postal Service, continue to receive their regular salaries during jury service and are not eligible for the standard juror attendance fee.[11]
In addition to attendance fees, federal jurors are reimbursed for reasonable transportation expenses, including mileage and, in some instances, parking fees. If jurors are required to stay overnight due to the distance from the courthouse or the length of proceedings, they may also receive a subsistence allowance to cover meals and lodging.[11]
State jury fees
Jury fees at the state level vary significantly across different jurisdictions, with each state establishing its own compensation rates and policies. For example, as of recent data, California compensates jurors at $15 per day starting from the second day of service, while New York provides $40 per day. Some states, such as Illinois and South Carolina, do not have a standardized statewide juror pay rate, leading to variations at the county or municipal levels.[12]
There is no federal mandate requiring employers to continue paying employees during their jury duty. Some states have enacted laws obligating employers to provide paid leave for jury service, while others leave this decision to the employer’s discretion.[11]
Other countries
Jury systems and associated fees vary globally. Some countries, such as South Africa, have abolished jury trials altogether. In nations like France and Germany, lay judges participate alongside professional judges, but traditional juries are uncommon, and compensation structures differ accordingly.[13]
^Courts, c=AU; o=The State of Queensland; ou=Department of Justice and Attorney-General; ou=Queensland. "Payment for jury service". www.courts.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-12-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^"Jury Duty". Fair Work Ombudsman. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
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