Jury Service Loss of Earnings Allowance 2026: How to Claim
Called for jury service? Here's how the loss of earnings allowance works, who can claim, how to submit a claim to HMCTS, and what your employer is (and isn't) obliged to do.
What is the jury service loss of earnings allowance?
If you're summoned for jury service in England and Wales, you have a legal duty to attend β but your employer has no legal obligation to continue paying your salary while you do. To address this gap, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) offers a loss of earnings and benefits allowance, which jurors can claim to cover income they lose as a result of attending court.
Who can claim?
You can claim the loss of earnings allowance if you are:
- An employee whose employer does not pay your normal wages (in full or in part) while you're on jury service, or
- Self-employed, and jury service means you cannot earn your usual income, or
- Someone who loses means-tested benefits as a result of attending jury service.
If your employer continues to pay your full salary, you generally cannot also claim the loss of earnings allowance for the same period β the allowance is there to cover a genuine shortfall, not to be claimed on top of full pay.
What can you claim for?
The allowance covers:
- Loss of earnings (employed or self-employed) directly resulting from attendance at court.
- Travel expenses to and from court.
- Food and drink expenses (subsistence) while attending.
- Childcare or dependant care costs incurred because of your attendance.
How the daily maximum rates work
The general structure is tiered:
| Period of jury service | Typical treatment |
|---|---|
| First 10 days | Lower daily maximum applies |
| Beyond 10 days (longer trials) | Higher daily maximum applies, recognising extended financial impact |
| Beyond a further extended threshold | Highest tier applies for very long trials |
The exact caps are set in pounds per half-day and full day and are reviewed periodically β treat any specific figure you see as indicative only and confirm the live rate directly from HMCTS or gov.uk when you submit your claim, since jury service pay rates are a detail that changes from time to time and getting it wrong could mean under- or over-claiming.
How to make a claim
- Get a certificate of loss of earnings from your employer (or complete the self-employed version if applicable) β this is usually provided as part of your jury summons paperwork or downloadable from gov.uk.
- Keep records of your actual net loss, travel costs, and any subsistence or dependant care costs incurred.
- Complete the claim form provided by the court (paper or online, depending on the court's process) at the end of each week of jury service, or at the end of your service if it's short.
- Submit before the deadline β claims generally need to be submitted within a set period after your jury service ends, so don't leave it too long.
- Payment is usually made by cheque or bank transfer from HMCTS after processing.
What are employers' obligations?
Employers must release employees who are summoned for jury service β refusing to do so, or penalising an employee for attending, can amount to contempt of court and may also give rise to an unfair treatment or dismissal claim if the employee is disadvantaged as a result.
However, employers are not obliged to pay the employee's normal salary during this time. Employers can:
- Choose to continue full pay (common in many organisations, particularly for shorter jury service periods),
- Pay a reduced amount, or
- Pay nothing, leaving the employee to claim the HMCTS allowance.
If an employer believes an employee's absence would cause serious business disruption, they can write to the court requesting a postponement of the employee's jury service β but this is a decision for the court, not something the employer can decide unilaterally.
Take-Home Pay Calculator
Calculate your net salary after income tax, National Insurance and student loan deductions.
Open Take-Home Pay calculatorSelf-employed jurors
If you're self-employed, jury service can be a significant financial hit since there's no employer to fall back on for continued pay. You can claim the same loss of earnings allowance, but you'll typically need to provide evidence of your usual earnings β for example, recent accounts, invoices, or tax returns β to support your claimed daily loss.
Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Calculate income tax, Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance for self-employed and sole traders for 2025/26.
Open Self-Employed Tax calculatorSummary
Jury service is a civic duty with real financial implications if your employer doesn't continue your pay. The HMCTS loss of earnings and benefits allowance exists precisely to soften that gap, covering lost earnings, travel, subsistence and dependant care up to daily caps that rise for longer trials. Because the exact cap figures change periodically, always verify the current numbers on gov.uk before you rely on them for your own budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
Does my employer have to pay me while I'm on jury service?
No. Unlike statutory sick pay or maternity pay, there's no legal requirement for employers to pay staff during jury service. Many employers choose to continue paying some or all salary, but if they don't, you can claim a loss of earnings allowance from HMCTS.
Can self-employed people claim for jury service loss of earnings?
Yes. Self-employed people, and those who aren't paid by an employer during jury service, can claim a loss of earnings and benefits allowance from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), subject to the same daily maximum limits.
Is there a daily maximum for the loss of earnings allowance?
Yes. HMCTS applies daily maximum rates that vary depending on how many days of jury service you've done β the caps for the earlier days of service are lower, with higher caps if your trial runs long, particularly beyond 10 days. Check the current rates on gov.uk before submitting your claim, as they are periodically updated.
Can my employer refuse to let me do jury service?
No. Employers must release staff for jury service, though they can ask the court to postpone your service or seek an excusal on your behalf in genuinely exceptional circumstances β the decision rests with the court, not the employer.
Is jury service loss of earnings allowance taxable?
The loss of earnings allowance is designed to compensate for a genuine loss of taxable income, so it isn't separately taxed as additional income in the way your normal salary would be β but if your employer continues to pay you and you're not claiming a loss, this doesn't apply.
What if my trial runs much longer than expected?
The daily loss of earnings cap generally increases the longer your jury service runs, recognising that extended trials cause greater financial hardship. If your case is expected to run long, the court will usually inform jurors and you can check updated caps with HMCTS.
Try the calculators
Related reading
Domestic Abuse and Time Off Work: What UK Employees Are Actually Entitled To in 2026
There is no dedicated UK statutory 'domestic abuse leave' yet β but existing rights around sick pay, flexible working, safe leave policies and dismissal protection still matter. What's covered in 2026.
Fit Notes and Self-Certification: When Do You Actually Need One for Sick Pay in 2026/27?
How self-certification and fit notes interact with Statutory Sick Pay eligibility in 2026/27 β when a fit note is needed, what it can say, and common employer rule mistakes.
The Right to Request a Predictable Working Pattern: How It Works in 2026
Since late 2024, workers on unpredictable hours have a statutory right to request a more predictable working pattern. How the request process works in 2026 and what pay impact it can have.