# Jury service leave Official source: https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/jury-service Scanned: 2026-06-07T03:31:31.402Z Use this as a current official guidance reference, not as a substitute for legal advice. ## Page Text Home Leave and holidays Jury service leave Leave and holidays Leave and holidays Public holidays Annual holidays Sick leave Bereavement leave Parental leave Family violence leave Jury service leave Employment Relations Education leave Time off to vote Defence force volunteers Other types of leave Everyone Jury service leave Employees, summoned for jury service, are entitled to leave from their workplace to fulfil their jury duty. The Ministry of Justice administers jury service. How jury service works If an employee Any person, whatever their age, who is employed by an employer to do any work for hire or reward under a ‘contract of service’ (commonly called an ‘employment agreement’). is called up for jury service When someone is summoned to court to serve on a jury. Employees can take time off work to serve on a jury. Jury service is administered by the Ministry of Justice. , they are required by law to attend, and their job is protected while they do so. Their employer must allow them to attend jury service. However, if the employee’s absence from work causes difficulty because of special commitments or responsibilities they may have, they can apply to be excused or to have their service deferred, for which their employer can provide them with a letter of support. An employee cannot be dismissed When an employer removes an employee from their job, for example, as a result of misconduct or redundancy. or have their position threatened for attending jury service. If they are, they can bring a personal grievance An action that an employee can take against a current or former employer when they have an employment issue they cannot resolve. against their employer, who could receive a fine of up to $10,000. Personal grievances It is illegal for an employer to require their employees to use their annual holidays Paid time away from work for rest and recreation. to cover time off for jury duty. Jury Service - Ministry of Justice Jury service is administered by the Ministry of Justice. More information about the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees is available on the Ministry of Justice website. Jury service - New Zealand Ministry of Justice (external link) Getting paid during jury service Those who attend jury service receive a small attendance fee from the Ministry of Justice. Employers do not have to pay their employees while they are on jury service, but many choose to ‘top up’ the money they get from the Ministry of Justice so that their employees receive their normal pay. Employees should check their employment agreement A written document setting out the terms and conditions of employment agreed by the employer and employee (also known as a ‘contract of service’). It can include other contractual documents and agreements made by the employer and employee. Every employee must have a written employment agreement. and workplace policies Workplace policies and procedures explain the rules and expectations in the workplace. – or talk to their employer – to see if they can get a ‘top-up’. Employers are encouraged to include a clause relating to jury service in employment agreements A written document setting out the terms and conditions of employment agreed by the employer and employee (also known as a ‘contract of service’). It can include other contractual documents and agreements made by the employer and employee. Every employee must have a written employment agreement. . Employment Agreement Builder - Business.govt.nz (external link) Published: 11 March 2024 Last modified: 11 November 2025 Written for: Everyone Share this page: Print this page: