Jury duty in the NT: current pay, excusal evidence and attendance
Check your summons and contact the correct jury office before assuming you are excused. Use the current pay tables, employer checklist and request guide below to work out what records you need and what to do next.
Key points
- For 1 July 2026–30 June 2027, eligible trial attendance is $75 per day or part day if the trial lasts nine days or less, or $150 for each trial day or part day if the trial lasts ten days or more. Eligible attendance without serving on a trial is $25.
- The $150 long-trial rate applies to every day of that qualifying trial, not just day ten onward. Court-payment eligibility and the separate proven-loss supplement are explained in the payment table.
- The Supreme Court directs advance excusal declarations and evidence to arrive no later than five business days before summons attendance. For sudden illness or a late problem, contact the jury office immediately and follow its instructions; use the evidence checklist.
- A request is not approval. Even if you believe you are exempt or not qualified, attend as directed until the Sheriff or court confirms that attendance is excused.
- Noncasual employees generally have NES employer-pay rights for their first ten days absent from work for the summons, subject to evidence and court-pay deductions. Casual leave, court fees and better employment terms need separate checks.
- Use the jury office for routine summons, excusal and payment administration. The free Legal Hotline line provides AI general information; an optional independent-lawyer consultation has a $295 including GST arrangement fee and does not secure excusal.
In the Northern Territory, for 1 July 2026–30 June 2027, regulation 8 of the Juries Regulations 1983 and the $1.25 monetary-unit value produce eligible trial attendance fees of $75 per day or part day for a trial lasting nine days or less, or $150 for every day or part day of a trial lasting ten days or more; the higher rate is not confined to day ten onward.
Checked on 23 October 2026: the current NT jury legislation, 2026–27 monetary and penalty units, Supreme Court directions, federal workplace provisions and official legal-help information. Sources and limits of this check.
Respond to the summons and choose the right request
Under Juries Act sections 9–15, qualification, exemption and discretionary excusal are different questions. Jurors are selected from the relevant jury list for Darwin or Alice Springs. An exemption or lack of qualification does not itself cancel an issued summons: section 14 requires the Sheriff to be informed and to excuse attendance.
Follow the Supreme Court’s current directions: contact the jury office promptly, provide a statutory declaration with supporting evidence for an advance request, and meet its five-business-day submission cutoff. This is the court’s advance-processing direction, not a rule that eliminates the judge’s statutory excusal power. If an unexpected problem arises later, contact the office immediately and follow its directions.
Scroll the tables sideways to compare all columns.
| Situation | Relevant route | What to provide or confirm |
|---|---|---|
| You are over 70 | Section 11(2): permanent exemption by written notice to the Sheriff. | The rule says over 70. After a summons, confirm that attendance is excused rather than assuming age alone cancels it. |
| Occupation or disability may create an exemption | Section 11 and Schedule 7 contain defined categories. | Explain the actual role/status or how the disability prevents juror duties. A loose job title or diagnosis is not the whole legal test. |
| Criminal history, guardianship or specified mental-health legal status may affect qualification | Section 10 has detailed tests and exceptions. | Obtain advice if uncertain; sentence completion, parole/conditions, pardon or expungement may matter. Ordinary counselling or any conviction does not automatically establish disqualification. |
| Illness, caring responsibilities, serious hardship or language difficulty | A Judge or Associate Judge may excuse for sufficient cause or doubt about qualification/exemption under section 15. | Give accurate reasons, supporting evidence and the period affected. Excusal is a decision, not a guaranteed outcome; later service may be required. |
| You previously served as a juror | Section 18AB allows the Sheriff to excuse on application where the new attendance is no later than three years after previous service. | Supply the service dates and records. Being called previously is not necessarily the same as having served; the power is discretionary. |
Keep the application and the official response. If no confirmation arrives, contact the office and comply with the summons. If you have already missed attendance, contact it immediately and seek advice about any notice received. Section 50 requires compliance while not excused; its maximum is four penalty units, currently $776. That is a maximum, not an automatic fine or an excuse you can grant yourself.
NT jury pay for 2026–27: the whole-trial rule
Regulation 8 treats an employee as already paid where ordinary pay continues and no other leave entitlement is deducted. Otherwise, the Sheriff or deputy assesses entitlement under regulation 8(2). Give accurate salary and leave information; do not assume court fees are an extra payment on top of unchanged ordinary wages and leave.
The official monetary unit is $1.25 from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. These are attendance amounts in Australian dollars, not a promise to replace actual wages or business income. If you are retired, unemployed, casual or self-employed, ask the registry how regulation 8 applies to your circumstances.
Scroll the tables sideways to compare all columns.
| Attendance or supplement | Units | 2026–27 amount |
|---|---|---|
| Each trial day or part day, if the trial lasts nine days or less | 60 | $75 |
| Each trial day or part day, if the trial lasts ten days or more | 120 | $150 for every trial day |
| Each day or part day attending without serving on a trial | 20 | $25 |
| Additional proved financial loss: trial attendance | Cap of 30 | Up to $37.50 extra, subject to the loss calculation |
| Additional proved financial loss: other attendance | Cap of 20 | Up to $25 extra, subject to the loss calculation |
The additional payment is the lesser of the proved loss exceeding the attendance fee and the applicable cap. For example, $90 proved loss on an eligible $75 day gives a possible $15 supplement, not automatically $37.50. A trial crossing 1 July uses the post-1-July payment value under regulation 8(2A). The base attendance-fee rule and the proof required for the additional-loss claim are separate.
Employer leave and make-up pay are separate from court fees
Fair Work Act sections 108–112 cover required jury selection and service, with reasonable travel and rest time. Give notice as soon as practicable, state the expected absence and provide reasonable evidence if requested. Check your employment coverage and any more beneficial award, agreement, contract or Territory entitlement.
For a noncasual employee, the NES provides base pay for ordinary work hours for the first ten days absent from work for the particular summons. If the employer requests court-pay evidence, show the necessary steps taken to obtain it and the total paid or payable, even if nil. Without requested evidence, the section 111 employer-pay entitlement does not apply.
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| Employment situation | NES position | Evidence or extra check |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time or part-time employee | Base ordinary-hours pay for the first ten work-absence days, subject to the statutory evidence and court-pay deduction rules. | When required evidence is provided, jury remuneration reduces employer pay; expense-related allowances are excluded from that deduction. |
| Casual employee | Eligible community-service leave, but no NES jury-pay entitlement. | An award, agreement, contract or more beneficial law may provide pay. Ask separately about court-fee eligibility. |
| Self-employed person or independent contractor | Do not assume employee make-up pay applies. | Ask about court fees, proved-loss supplement and any evidence-based excusal request. No full business-loss reimbursement is promised. |
Ten days means days absent from work for the summons, not automatically two calendar weeks or ten trial days. If an eligible employee’s base ordinary-hours pay is $250 and deductible court remuneration is $75 for the same covered day, the make-up amount is $175; expense allowances are separate. NT section 52 also prohibits dismissal or employment prejudice because of jury-service absence, whether selected or not. Keep records and seek help if your employer threatens your job.
Attendance, travel and the service period
Use the date, place, panel and instructions on your summons. The court describes a typical four-to-six-week availability period; this does not mean attending every day. Being unselected on one day does not necessarily discharge you from the pool. Follow later attendance directions and the correct panel recording.
Darwin induction and selection are usually on different days; Alice Springs usually combines them. Bring your summons and identification and be ready to serve when directed. Trial duration is case-dependent; use the estimate given for the actual trial.
Regulation 9 provides fares where the residence is more than one kilometre from the relevant Supreme Court. It distinguishes available public transport from the prescribed distance-based alternative. Ask the registry about the correct calculation and evidence rather than assuming petrol, parking or taxi expenses are all reimbursed. Use the Jury Fees form linked from the official jurors page and provide payment details through that official process.
Tell the court if you know someone involved or another issue could affect your ability to serve impartially. Do not leave or assume your service is finished without the court’s direction.
Keep trial information private and use the official support route
Follow the judge’s directions. Do not research the case online or through AI, contact people involved, or post case information. A juror’s task is to decide from the evidence and directions given in court.
Juries Act sections 49A–49B protect deliberations and juror identities, with specific disclosure/publication offences and exceptions. Do not send jury-room discussions, private juror identities or trial evidence to Legal Hotline or an AI assistant.
The Act permits specified treatment disclosures about prior jury service to a medical practitioner or registered psychologist, with limits on further disclosure. The court offers confidential post-service counselling through the jury offices. Ask the office for that support; confidentiality rules should not prevent you seeking assistance through the authorised route.
Excusal and payment evidence: what to gather
Use accurate records relevant to your request. A medical explanation should address capacity to perform jury service and the period affected; a diagnosis alone may not answer that question. The jury office can explain the official submission process.
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| Record | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Summons, accompanying letter, attendance date/time and panel | Identifies the correct office, directions and advance-submission date. |
| Reason for excusal and the exact period affected | Lets the decision-maker assess the request and any possible later service. |
| Relevant medical, caring, work or financial evidence | Supports the actual difficulty; do not assume any one category guarantees excusal. |
| Prior service records or sentence/condition-completion documents where relevant | Helps resolve the precise exemption or qualification question. |
| Employer roster, ordinary base pay, salary continuation and leave records | Separates court-fee assessment from employer leave and make-up pay. |
| Attendance confirmation, court-pay entitlement, loss and travel evidence | Supports the correct fee, supplement, fare and employer-pay calculations. |
| Copy of the submitted request and the official decision | Shows what was requested and whether attendance was actually excused. |
- Read the summons and note the correct jury office and attendance details.
- Contact that office promptly if you need a request or clarification; meet its advance directions where possible.
- Tell your employer and obtain the pay/leave evidence needed for both systems.
- Keep submission and payment records, and attend unless officially excused.
Routine jury administration goes directly to the court. A hotline call or lawyer booking does not submit a statutory declaration, alter a summons or secure excusal.
Darwin and Alice Springs jury contacts
The Supreme Court jurors page publishes these contacts. Use the office and recording specified in your documents; the recordings provide attendance information, while the offices handle individual summons questions.
Scroll the tables sideways to compare all columns.
| Location | Office contact | Attendance recording |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin Sheriff’s Office | 08 8999 7930; AGD.CSSJury@nt.gov.au | Panel A: 1800 657 600; Panel B: 1800 657 511 |
| Alice Springs Supreme Court Registry | 08 8951 5711; AGD.ASJury@nt.gov.au | 1800 064 619 |
For a sudden attendance problem, contact the office immediately. Ask it to confirm how to submit documents and whether attendance is excused.
When an initial lawyer consultation may help
The jury office is the first contact for routine attendance, forms and payments. Individual legal advice may help with a disputed qualification issue, threatened employment action or a nonattendance allegation. Explain the issue without sharing protected deliberations or juror identities; ask what advice or further work is appropriate.
Legal Hotline charges a $295 including GST matching and arrangement fee for an initial one-hour consultation with an independent Australian lawyer. The lawyer makes no additional charge for that initial consultation; further work is separately agreed.
Availability and the lawyer’s acceptance apply. Drafting a declaration, filing, representation and a successful excusal are not promised by booking. The free telephone line is Jen, an AI assistant providing general legal information, not a lawyer giving advice. Service terms are linked below.
Official help and free legal information
Use official jury contacts above for decisions about your summons. These services can help with information or the relevant legal/workplace issue.
Legal Aid NT helpline
1800 019 343, Monday–Friday 8am–4:30pm. Free legal information and referrals; operators can arrange an appointment for legal advice. The helpline does not decide jury excusal.
Fair Work Ombudsman — jury leave and pay
Explains employee leave, evidence and employer-pay obligations. For help, call 13 13 94, Monday–Friday 8am–5:30pm, except public holidays. Check your particular coverage and employment terms.
Supreme Court NT — juror counselling
Contact the Darwin or Alice Springs jury office about the court’s confidential post-service counselling. Use this official support route rather than sharing deliberations with an AI service.
NT jury-duty questions
How much are NT jurors paid in 2026–27?
Subject to regulation 8 eligibility, trial attendance is $75 per day or part day if the trial lasts nine days or less, or $150 for every trial day or part day if it lasts ten days or more. Eligible non-trial attendance is $25. The higher rate is not just for day ten onward. A separate proved-loss supplement is capped and assessed; it is not automatic.
How do I ask to be excused from jury duty in the NT?
Contact the correct jury office promptly. For advance processing, the Supreme Court directs a statutory declaration and supporting evidence no later than five business days before attendance. A Judge or Associate Judge may excuse for sufficient cause; exemptions and recent-service requests have their own rules. For sudden illness or a late problem, contact the office immediately and follow instructions. Attend until officially excused.
Am I automatically exempt if I am 70 or recently served?
Section 11(2) says over 70, with written notice to the Sheriff for permanent exemption. Section 18AB gives the Sheriff discretion on application for qualifying previous service within the three-year window. Neither is permission to ignore an issued summons: notify the office and obtain confirmation that attendance is excused.
Does my employer have to pay me while I serve?
For noncasual employees covered by the NES, section 111 generally requires base ordinary-hours pay for the first ten days absent from work for the summons, subject to requested evidence and deduction of court remuneration. Expense allowances are excluded from that deduction. Casuals have NES leave but no NES jury-pay entitlement; better terms may apply. Court-fee eligibility is assessed separately.
What if I have already missed jury attendance?
Contact the jury office immediately, explain what happened and follow its directions. Keep any notice and obtain advice if an offence is alleged. Section 50 requires a person who has not been excused to comply with a served summons; its current maximum fine is four penalty units, or $776. Do not assume your own reason automatically excused attendance.
Can I discuss jury-room events with the hotline or an AI tool?
Do not disclose protected deliberations, private juror identities or trial evidence to a hotline or AI assistant, and do not use AI to research the case. The Act contains specific lawful disclosure exceptions, including qualified treatment for issues from prior service. Ask the jury office about official post-service counselling and follow court directions.
Sources and update record
Facts checked on 23 October 2026 against current official registers, operative provisions and first-party guidance. Dollar amounts use the 2026–27 monetary and penalty units. The earlier personal-review date below is preserved; this factual update does not claim a new personal solicitor review. General information only.
- Juries Act 1962 — qualification, excusal, duties, privacy and payment
- Juries Regulations 1983 — regulations 8–10
- NT monetary units — 2026–27 value
- NT penalty units — 2026–27 value
- Supreme Court NT — jurors, requests, forms, contacts and support
- Fair Work Act 2009 — sections 108–112
- Fair Work Ombudsman — jury-duty leave and pay
- Fair Work Ombudsman — national-system coverage
- Fair Work Ombudsman — phone contact
- Legal Aid NT — helpline
- Legal Hotline Australia — booking
- Legal Hotline Australia — terms
- Legal Hotline Australia — lawyer consultation model
General information only, not legal advice. Updated . Checked against the sources above on 23 October 2026.
Review date recorded on the previous version: . This content update does not represent a new personal legal review.