A Level Law Practice Exam

Under what circumstance can an individual defer jury service for 'good reason'?

1. If they are a full-time student

2. If they are traveling abroad

3. If they are experiencing serious ill health

4. If they have a part-time job

The correct answer is: If they are experiencing serious ill health

The circumstance under which an individual can defer jury service for 'good reason' is when they are experiencing serious ill health. This option is appropriate because serious health issues may impede a person's ability to participate fully in jury service, affecting their concentration, availability, or overall capability to fulfill the duties required of a juror. Courts recognize that health-related challenges can be significant barriers to serving effectively on a jury, thus allowing for deferral in such cases to ensure that jurors are fit to perform their responsibilities. In contrast, while being a full-time student, traveling abroad, and having a part-time job might present challenges or conflicts regarding jury service, they do not fall under the same category of 'serious' reasons as ill health. Students may often arrange their schedules to accommodate jury service, travel plans can sometimes be altered, and part-time work typically allows for part-time commitments. Therefore, these situations, although potentially inconvenient, do not justify a deferral on the basis of 'good reason' in the same way that serious health issues do.