Jury Duty Medical Excuse - Legal Exemption Certificate
If a health condition makes jury service genuinely difficult, a signed letter from a registered UK GP is the accepted way to request a deferral or exemption. Obtained quickly, entirely online.
Each letter follows a clinical assessment by a licensed UK doctor, giving the court a credible document that meets exemption requirements.
✔ Issued by a registered UK GP following clinical assessment
✔ Suitable for jury service deferrals and court exemption requests
✔ Most requests reviewed same day, from £39
LET'S GET STARTED 
Dr Maria Knobel Medical Director · GMC 7495073 
Consistently voted 5 stars
How It Works
Complete a short online questionnaire
No appointment required. Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
Receive your certificate
Certificates arrive most same day, all by 9AM next morning, delivered as a signed PDF direct to your inbox.
Very happy, I ordered my Medical Certificate in the early morning hours and before noon time of same day I had it on my inbox. Speedy service and they present the health condition precisely, get to the point.
They meet the incredibly fast turnaround stated (certificate/letter sent before 9am the following morning if the doctor feels that a letter/certificate is appropriate) which is incredibly quick and I am really grateful for the help provided!
Very easy and quick to get my certificate. And the certificate was approved from the specific company to travel with my dog. I will use them again. Well done.
Second time using this company and they are fabulous! Always great, fast, friendly service. Highly recommend!
This was my second time using Medical Cert, and once again the service was exceptionally quick and professional. Everything was handled efficiently, with clear communication throughout.
I found the service very straight forward and quick. Exactly what I needed to get my Padi medical form signed before our holiday. Thank you very much.
Second year running where requested Sports Certificate has been produced promptly in advised timescales.
Process was easy and responses were quick. I would recommend their service.
Fast efficient service for medical certificates. I used the not fit to fly service and was provided with a certificate the next day, the price is very reasonable and enabled a flight credit refund with my airline. Would recommend and would use again if needed.
A fast and efficient service. It wasn't complicated and the Fit-to-fly note was accepted by the Airport without any further questions. Thank you.
Ideal for me, I am looking to get a certificate for some medical issues I have. So this is the perfect solution for me, uploading docs was easy and the forms very straightforward to fill in. Will definitely use them again. Many thanks.
Excellent service. Easy to use and certificate issued in less than 24 hours. £39 as opposed to the £150 my GP charges. Highly recommended.
Quick and reasonably pain-free. Received their standard certificate as well as my requested bespoke certificate, by email, by 9am the following morning. Both completed properly, signed and stamped as required. More expensive than my GP, but infinitely quicker and easier.
One of the best experiences. It's easy to get a GP note.
Excellent. My GP refuses to issue DWP MED 3 Fit Notes to students. MedicalCert were excellent and extremely helpful in providing a necessary certificate. Highly recommended.
You were amazing, you kept me updated and replied promptly to any queries I had. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
They helped me, they were very professional and nice.
Very pleased. Quick service with very professional letter provided.
Great service, pretty straight forward and easy to use the website.
I was recommended Medical Cert by a friend and was so impressed with the service received. I would recommend using a laptop rather than a phone. Overall a fantastic and fast service.
A jury duty medical excuse letter is a doctor-signed certificate confirming that a medical condition renders you unable to serve on jury duty for a specified period. It is submitted to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) as part of a formal application for deferral or excusal from jury service on medical grounds. This guide explains the grounds for medical excusal, what the letter should include, and how to obtain one quickly online, subject to clinical review by a GMC-registered doctor.
Jury service is a civic duty in England and Wales — but HMCTS recognises that genuine medical conditions may prevent some people from fulfilling this obligation. Medical grounds are one of the most common and straightforward bases for deferral or excusal from jury service. The key is providing clear, credible medical documentation that the courts can assess promptly.
Grounds for Medical Excusal from Jury Duty in the UK
HM Courts and Tribunals Service can grant a deferral (postponement to a later date) or full excusal from jury service on medical grounds. Medical grounds are typically accepted where a condition:
- Prevents you from attending court in person for the required period (often 10 working days)
- Makes it impossible or very difficult to concentrate, follow evidence, or make decisions
- Requires regular medical treatment or appointments that cannot be scheduled around jury service
- Involves a significant risk to your health if you were to attend
- Has recently resulted in hospitalisation, surgery, or a serious acute episode
HMCTS can grant either a deferral (rescheduled jury service, typically for up to 12 months) or a full excusal. Full excusal is generally reserved for cases where the condition is long-term and unlikely to resolve. In most cases, HMCTS will grant a deferral rather than permanent excusal unless there is strong medical evidence of a chronic, ongoing condition.
Conditions That May Support a Medical Excuse for Jury Service
Physical Conditions
- Recent surgery or hospitalisation
- Serious acute illness (e.g. severe infection, cardiac event)
- Chronic conditions requiring daily treatment or monitoring
- Mobility issues or conditions preventing prolonged sitting
- Pregnancy-related complications or late-stage pregnancy
- Active cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy)
Mental Health Conditions
- Severe anxiety or panic disorder that would be significantly worsened by courtroom attendance
- PTSD where the nature of certain cases may cause harm
- Serious depression or psychosis affecting concentration and decision-making
- Conditions where exposure to distressing evidence poses a genuine clinical risk
What the Medical Excuse Letter Should Include
HMCTS requires that a medical excuse for jury service is supported by a letter from a registered doctor confirming the nature of your condition and its impact on your ability to serve. A MedicalCert jury duty medical letter, subject to clinical review, will include:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Confirmation of the relevant medical condition and its clinical impact
- A clear statement that the condition prevents you from serving on jury duty
- The expected duration of the limitation (supporting a deferral or full excusal request)
- The doctor’s name, GMC registration number, and signature
- A unique reference number for verification
Address the letter to the Jury Central Summoning Bureau or the relevant court — specify this when completing the consultation form so the letter is correctly addressed.
How to Get a Jury Duty Medical Excuse Letter Online
Check your jury summons paperwork
Your jury summons letter will include instructions on how to apply for excusal or deferral, and a contact address or portal for submitting documentation. Note the deadline — requests should be submitted well before your service start date.
Complete the MedicalCert consultation form
Provide details of your health condition, how it prevents you from serving on jury duty, and the relevant service dates. Upload any supporting documentation such as hospital letters or prescription records.
GMC-registered doctor review
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission. Where clinically appropriate, a signed letter confirming your inability to serve is issued, addressed to the relevant court or summoning bureau.
Receive your letter and submit to HMCTS
Your letter is delivered by email as a PDF — same day or by 9AM the following morning. Submit it to HMCTS or the Jury Central Summoning Bureau alongside your deferral or excusal application form.
Get a Jury Duty Medical Excuse Letter Online
GMC-registered doctors. No appointment needed. Same-day or overnight delivery. Accepted by HMCTS.
Apply for Your Sick Note →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be permanently excused from jury service on medical grounds?
Yes, in some circumstances. HMCTS can grant permanent excusal where a doctor confirms a long-term or permanent condition that would consistently prevent service on jury duty. Examples include severe chronic conditions, significant cognitive impairment, or conditions requiring regular treatment that could not be arranged around jury service on any future occasion. In most cases, HMCTS will first grant a deferral unless the medical evidence clearly supports full excusal.
Will HMCTS accept a private doctor’s letter for jury duty excusal?
Yes. HMCTS accepts medical letters from any registered medical practitioner — including private doctors — provided the letter is signed by a doctor with their registration details included. A GMC-registered doctor’s letter from MedicalCert meets this standard. Final acceptance is at HMCTS’s discretion based on the content of the letter.
How quickly do I need to apply?
As soon as possible after receiving your jury summons — and well before your service start date. HMCTS recommends submitting deferral or excusal applications at least a week before your service date where possible, though they will consider applications submitted at shorter notice in genuine medical emergencies.
Can I just not turn up without submitting medical evidence?
No. Failing to attend jury service without a valid deferral or excusal is a criminal offence in England and Wales, and can result in a fine. If you have a medical condition that prevents attendance, you must apply for excusal or deferral and provide supporting evidence. Do not simply fail to appear.
What if my condition is mental health related?
Mental health conditions are valid grounds for jury duty excusal where they genuinely prevent participation. The letter should clearly describe how the condition affects your ability to attend court, follow extended proceedings, or make decisions under the pressure of a jury environment. Conditions such as severe anxiety, PTSD, or major depression may qualify, subject to clinical review of the specific circumstances.