Courts Service launches digital jury platform
People in Westmeath can start now using a new Courts Service online portal to answer jury summons; to follow the status of their reply; and to catch real time updates on any changes to their jury service details.
Over a number of months, the Courts Service project was piloted in Kilkenny, Mayo, Tipperary, and Waterford, and is now rolling out nationwide on a phased basis.
For more information the Courts Service has provided a video: search ‘A Guide to Receiving A Jury Summons’ on YouTube.
Courts Service CEO Angela Denning said: “To date, within the four pilot counties, approximately 30% of people who responded to their jury summons did so using the new online platform. This is higher than other systems internationally, and very high for a pilot scheme.
“Encouragingly, feedback received from those who used the new platform has been positive.”
Ms Denning said the addition to the current paper-based system of an alternative digital platform is about offering people different options when responding to the jury summons.
“Providing user-friendly options for people to engage with our services is at the heart of the Courts Service Modernisation Programme, which aims to realise our Strategic Vision 2030 to support access to justice in a modern, digital Ireland.”
The platform will allow for 24/7 access to those who have received a summons, providing immediate updates on any changes in times, dates or jury cancellations, and immediate electronic responses to requests for excusals by people.
This new digital platform reduces the reliance on paper-based processes, and many outdated tech platforms, offering an improved customer service that is inclusive and provides for digital first solutions.
Ms Denning said: “The benefits of this online option for the user we anticipate will include increased customer satisfaction and improved accessibility to our services.”
A centralised Jury Summons Office is now well-established in Castlebar, which helped with creating lean processes, and will help create a concentration of experience and knowledge over the years. This helped the digital Jury project team in working to improve the current jury system, with the new, online Jury platform.
The new platform has the potential to reduce the time of opening and handling of letters, and work hours dedicated to answering phone-calls, freeing up staff for other front office, customer service and court duties.
The new platform is available to those being called for jury service in the Westmeath area now, and rollout will extend to those living in counties across the country is on a phased basis over the coming months.
About the online platform and jury service.
Anyone who receives a summons inviting them to respond online, should follow the details on the summons and scan the QR code. If someone receives a summons without a QR code , the option to reply online hasn’t opened in that area yet.
No changes are being made to jury service selection, Jurors will continue to be selected at random from the register of electors. For further information on jury service, see courts.ie/jury-service.