I have been sent a jury summons that states I must attend court and may be selected for a trial that could take up to six months. I want to do my civic duty, but are nurses exempt from jury duty?

No. Nurses can apply for an exemption if they wish too, but nurses are not excluded from jury duty.

Schedule 1 of the Jury Act 1977 (NSW) lists those who are excluded. Lawyers, people employed by a court, police officers, those with some criminal history and bankrupts are an example of those who are excluded. Nurses, however, are not listed in this schedule.

Schedule 2 lists those who have a right to request an exemption, and this list includes nurses. Please note the legislation clearly states it is the choice of those listed in this schedule whether they want to seek an exemption, and their employer can’t influence these decisions. There are penalties for employers who seek to interfere.

If you’d like to discuss this further, please get in contact with the Association and ask to speak with an information officer.