Thank you for undertaking your online juror orientation. By doing so, you'll be as ready as possible for your upcoming jury service.

Below are three short orientation videos, between two and six minutes each. You will also find some summary points after each video. Some courts may differ slightly from what is shown in the videos. These differences are outlined beneath each video where applicable.

 

Welcome

Key points

  • Jury service is generally longer than one day. Please ensure you have 10 business days (2 weeks) available from your summons date.
  • You may bring a book, laptop, tablet or other item to occupy yourself when you attend.
  • You will be required to pass through an airport-style security checkpoint before entering the court building. Items considered dangerous will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day, including, knives, knitting needles, scissors, cutlery and glass food or drink containers.
  • If you need to be excused or to have your jury service deferred, please logon to the Juror Portal (External link) or contact our office on 03 8636 6800.

Differences

  • In most regional courts, attendees will be part of a jury panel assigned to a single trial. That is, only one jury trial will commence per day.
 

The Selection Process

Key points

  • You will have an opportunity to apply directly to the judge to be excused from serving as a juror on that particular trial.
  • If you know anybody involved in the trial or any details of the case, you must apply to be excused.
  • If selected as a juror, you will be required to attend court every day the trial is sitting.

Differences

  • The layout of some courtrooms may differ from that depicted.
 

Wrapping Up

Key points

  • Whether or not you are selected as a juror, you are strictly prohibited from making any enquiries regarding details of a trial. No Googling!
  • You will be subject to strict rules of confidentiality for the entire time you are undertaking jury service.
  • You cannot make social media updates about your jury service. It is an offence to publish any information or image that identifies anybody attending jury service, including yourself.
  • Do not invite family or friends to watch the case you are sitting on, as this can cause distractions for you and complications to the trial.
  • The Juror Support Program is available for anybody who has attended for jury service, even if they're not selected as a juror. This service is free and confidential. Our website contains more information about the Juror Support Program.

Further information

Below is further information related to your jury service. 

 

Work and Payment

Key points

Our website contains more information on work and payment, including your employer's obligations. However, the key points are summarised below.

Work

  • You are not required to attend your employment on any day you have jury service, even if your work is before or after your service.
  • If you are a night shift worker or a casual employee with unpredictable hours, you should call our office on 03 8636 6800 to discuss your circumstances further.
  • Being selected as a juror on a trial may impact weekend work. If you normally work weekends and are selected on a trial, please speak with one of our staff to discuss your circumstances further.

Payment

  • You will receive $40 per day for the first six days and $80 per day thereafter for undertaking jury service, regardless of your employment status or whether you receive a pension.
  • Your employer is legally obligated to make up the difference between this amount and what you would have normally received, including any penalties, allowances or loadings.
  • This obligation exists for the entirety of your jury service and applies to all full-time, part-time and casual employees with predictable hours.
  • Employers are not obligated to pay casual employees with unpredictable hours.
 

Food and Drink

Juries Victoria does not provide lunch, so you will need to either bring your lunch with you or buy something during your lunch break. Please note, cutlery and glass containers will not be allowed past the security checkpoint at the court entrance.

The jury pool area has hot and cold water, as well as tea, coffee and disposable cups. You may also bring a drink bottle with you, so long as it is not glass.

Please note, food and drink are not allowed in court, and will need to be placed in your bag or disposed of before entering the courtroom.

 

Dress Code

We recommend you wear neat, smart-casual clothing, in keeping with the court environment. This includes closed-toe shoes.

Do not wear clothes that are ripped or torn, dirty, or that contain offensive writing or imagery.

 

Travel and Parking

Please note that there is no dedicated parking for those attending jury service at any court location. Juries Victoria does not reimburse parking expenses or fines incurred as a result of undertaking jury service.

Melbourne County Court

We strongly recommend you take public transport when attending the Melbourne County Court. The court building is located very close to Flagstaff station and several tram stops, making this the most convenient option.

Regional court

You can check what parking options are available prior to attending on the relevant Court location section of our website.

It's best to avoid parking in a timed or metered spot, as you will not be allowed to exit the court building to move your car or top up a parking meter once you have been checked in.

Travel allowance
Juries Victoria pays a travel allowance to all individuals who attend for jury service at a regional court. No travel allowance is paid to those attending the Melbourne Law Courts.

The travel allowance is $0.42 per kilometre beyond 8 kilometres, and is for one way only. This is calculated automatically as the distance between your listed address and the courthouse by the shortest reasonable route, and will be paid to you with your jury payments.

The travel allowance is not to be taken into account by your employer when they calculate how much they must pay you, based upon the difference between your jury payments and what you would otherwise have earned.

If you have any questions regarding any of the information contained in the videos above or about your attendance for jury service, please contact our office on 03 8636 6800.