Jonathan Ball told the court that he ‘holds views which fundamentally conflict with the jury system’
14:35, 31 Mar 2025Updated 14:36, 31 Mar 2025
Liverpool Crown Court
A man has refused to attend court for jury service because he is a “right-wing anarchist”. Jonathan Ball, from Southport, was summonsed to serve as a juror at Liverpool Crown Court, but could now face prison due to his “conscientious objection”.
He was told to appear before the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC today, Monday, in order to “show cause”, or to demonstrate reasons why he should not be found in contempt of court for his failure to show up for his two scheduled dates of service in December last year and earlier this month. However, he again did not attend this morning.
The city’s top judge stated that Ball had initially been sent his summons to serve in October last year but responded with a letter “indicating that he was not prepared to do jury service”. In it, he said: “There is no way I’m going to do jury service.
“As a right-wing anarchist, I hold views which fundamentally conflict with the jury system. I believe my participation would not only be a disserve to the court, but it would also compromise the integrity of the process. Therefore, I respectfully request that my beliefs be taken into consideration.”
But Judge Menary said of this: “This potential juror set out in pretty comprehensive terms his unwillingness to attend. There is no legal basis to exclude a juror on the basis of their philosophical beliefs.
“Jury service is a fundamental and important civic duty requiring all citizens who are summonsed to attend, unless there is a good and sufficient reason for a juror not serving.
“This does not include any conscientious objection or ideological opposition to jury service. That is simply not a good or sufficient reason.
“I am perfectly satisfied by his failure to attend, in the absence of any other explanation than the one outlined by the juror, that there is no good or sufficient reason for him not to attend. Accordingly, I find that he is in contempt of court.”
Ball, who was said to be “not working or in receipt of income”, was fined the maximum £1,000 as a result, a sum he must pay within the next 56 days or otherwise face 14 days in prison in default. Judge Menary however allowed him 56 days to make further submissions to the court.