"Don't Count Me Out!" Rethink Fights Jury Exclusion
Rethink are counting people who have been excluded from jury service simply because they have had treatment for a mental illness.
From midnight, Tuesday 12 January 2010, the number went over a staggering 50,000. Rethink will add 1 per hour to this figure, as more and more people are potentially excluded from performing a civic duty just because they have had an illness.
Rethink's Press Release
In the media
Rethink's briefing on jury service and mental illness
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750 people a month are barred from jury service because they are receiving treatment for a mental illness.
This is blatant discrimination and needs to be stopped. Rethink believes people should only be stopped from sitting on a jury if they are not capable of carrying out this role.
5 and a half years ago the Government promised a consultation on changing this - but it still hasn't materialised.
In the meantime around 50,000 people will have been victims of this blanket ban.
50,000 and counting...until the Government makes good on its promise to consult on this issue.
- Find out what the law says and what Rethink wants changed
- Read Clare Allan's article 'I can vote, I can pay tax - so why can't I sit on a jury?' in the Guardian June 4th 2008
- Allowed to risk his life as a fireman but not to sit on a jury. Read James' story
None of the people below can sit on a jury - and that's wrong
Support for our campaign:
There are thousands of people with mental health problems who are willing and perfectly capable of serving on a jury but who find themselves rejected solely because they see a doctor from time to time for support or medication. Exclusion purely on the grounds of treatment for a mental health problem is unfair and discriminatory, and eliminates a whole tranche of law abiding, competent individuals who should be entitled to play their part in the justice system.
Stephen Fry
We need to challenge the inbuilt assumption that we have nothing of value to contribute. When it comes to employment those with mental health problems face more discrimination than any other section of society. If the government is serious about fighting stigma, then the jury system would seem a good place to start.
Clare Allen
There is absolutely no reason why I could not perform as a jury member. Assuming that my views could be somewhat unstable because of my past diagnosis is clear discrimination against myself and those who share my diagnosis. This assumption also works against the governments commitment to ensure that public services are delivered without barriers or constraints where discrimination is concerned.
Stuart
I was asked to do jury service so I sent back the form saying 'yes I do see a psychiatrist but I'm okay and want to do jury service'. They wouldn't let me - I wasn't allowed to give something back to a community that's given me loads.
Janey
I think it’s disgraceful that just because I have regular check ups with my doctor – just in the same way as I would if I had diabetes – I can’t serve on a jury. The entitlement to sit in judgement of your peers is just as important civic duty as the right to vote.
Robert
Millions of people function day to day at an extremely high level when receiving different kinds of treatment, either psychological or medical. They hold down jobs, care for families and young children, drive, vote, sit on committees, boards and panels of varying kinds. And yet they are deprived the right to participate in the country’s legal system, one of the foundations of civilised society.
Yasmin
