Jury fees
Jury fees refer to the compensation provided to individuals serving as jurors. These fees are intended to offset the personal expenses incurred during jury service, though they often do not equate to standard employment wages.
Australia
Federal court
Jurors serving in the Federal Court of Australia are entitled to an attendance fee and may claim travel allowances.State courts
Each state and territory administers its own jury system. For example:- New South Wales — Jurors receive per day for the first ten days. From the eleventh day onward, employed jurors receive per day, while unemployed jurors continue to receive 106.30 per day. Additionally, a travel allowance of per kilometer is provided.
- Queensland — Individuals summoned but not selected for a jury panel receive per day. Empaneled jurors earn per day, with an additional per day after the 20th weekday of service.
- Western Australia — Employers are required to continue paying the usual wages or salary to employees, regardless of their employment status, during jury service.
Employer obligations
State-specific legislation may impose additional obligations. For example, in New South Wales, employers are required to pay employees for the first ten days of jury service; this obligation does not extend to casual employees.
Taxation of jury fees
Attendance fees paid to employed jurors are considered assessable income and must be declared in tax returns, unless the fees are remitted to the employer.Canada
In Canada, each jurisdiction establishes its own policies regarding daily fees, employer obligations, and expense reimbursements.Provincial laws
[British Columbia]
Jurors in British Columbia receive compensation based on the duration of their service:- First 10 days: $20 per day
- Days 11 to 49: $60 per day
- Day 50 onward: $100 per day
[Ontario]
Effective October 1, 2025, jury pay in Ontario is $125 per day from Day 1. Employers are not required to pay their employees while they are serving on juries. Some employers may choose to continue wages voluntarily.Prior to October 1, 2025, juror compensation was structured as follows:
- First 10 days: Unpaid
- Days 11 to 49: $40 per day
- Day 50 onward: $100 per day
[Nova Scotia]
Jurors in Nova Scotia receive $40 per day for each day of service as well as reimbursement for travel expenses at a rate of 20 cents per kilometer and for parking costs.United Kingdom
Loss of earnings and care costs
Jurors can claim compensation for loss of earnings and certain care expenses, with amounts determined by the duration of daily court attendance and the length of service.- First 10 days of service: Up to £64.95 per day for attendance exceeding 4 hours and up to £32.47 per day for attendance of 4 hours or less.
- After 10 days working days: Up to £129.91 per day for attendance exceeding 4 hours and up to £64.95 per day for attendance of 4 hours or less.
Travel expenses
- Public transport: Full cost of bus or standard-class train tickets
- Private vehicle: Mileage allowance of 31.4p per mile for cars and motorcycles
- Bicycle: Allowance of 9.6p per mile
- Taxi: Reimbursement of fare, subject to prior court approval
Subsistence allowance
- Up to £5.71 per day for attendance up to 10 hours
- Up to £12.17 per day for attendance exceeding 10 hours
Employer obligations
United States
Federal court
At the federal level, jurors receive an attendance fee of $50 per day for their service. This rate applies to both petit jurors, who serve on trial juries, and grand jurors, who participate in grand jury proceedings. For petit jurors serving more than ten days on a trial, the presiding judge has the discretion to increase the daily compensation to $60. Similarly, grand jurors may receive up to $60 per day after 45 days of service. Federal employees, excluding those working for the U.S. Postal Service, continue to receive their regular salaries during jury service and are not eligible for the standard juror attendance fee.In addition to attendance fees, federal jurors are reimbursed for reasonable transportation expenses, including mileage and, in some instances, parking fees. If jurors are required to stay overnight due to the distance from the courthouse or the length of proceedings, they may also receive a subsistence allowance to cover meals and lodging.
State jury fees
Jury fees at the state level vary significantly across different jurisdictions, with each state establishing its own compensation rates and policies. For example, as of recent data, California compensates jurors at $15 per day starting from the second day of service, while New York provides $40 per day. Some states, such as Illinois and South Carolina, do not have a standardized statewide juror pay rate, leading to variations at the county or municipal levels.| State | Daily Jury Fee | Employer Paid Time Off Requirement |
| Alabama | Yes | |
| Alaska | No | |
| Arizona | No | |
| Arkansas | No | |
| California | No | |
| Colorado | Yes | |
| Connecticut | Yes | |
| Delaware | No | |
| District of Columbia | Yes | |
| Florida | No | |
| Georgia | No | |
| Hawaii | No | |
| Idaho | No | |
| Illinois | — | No |
| Indiana | No | |
| Iowa | No | |
| Kansas | No | |
| Kentucky | No | |
| Louisiana | Yes | |
| Maine | No | |
| Maryland | No | |
| Massachusetts | Yes | |
| Michigan | No | |
| Minnesota | No | |
| Mississippi | No | |
| Missouri | No | |
| Montana | No | |
| Nebraska | Yes | |
| Nevada | No | |
| New Hampshire | No | |
| New Jersey | No | |
| New Mexico | No | |
| New York | No | |
| North Carolina | No | |
| North Dakota | No | |
| Ohio | No | |
| Oklahoma | No | |
| Oregon | No | |
| Pennsylvania | No | |
| Rhode Island | No | |
| South Carolina | — | No |
| South Dakota | No | |
| Tennessee | Yes | |
| Texas | No | |
| Utah | No | |
| Vermont | No | |
| Virginia | No | |
| West Virginia | No | |
| Wisconsin | No | |
| Wyoming | No |