Was that my name ? ( Day 1 -the conclusion)

Ok , so I've had my cuppa, scanned the paper and had a bit of a chat with one or two fellow new jurors. It's 10.30 . More batches of names are read out and people led away. Eventually it's my turn.

30 of us are led down to Court 16. ('Oooh!', says one of my fellow jurors, 'We're being sent down'. Nervous laughter at this choice of phrase.) We're a real mixed bunch, young ,older, smart, casual, all colours and sexes -all looking slightly apprehensive. Very democratic.

We congregate outside in a huddle, waiting for the nod. One lively, smiley chap -full of enthusiasm , asks me if I have a good excuse ready if it's a long runner. I haven't made my mind up yet what constitues a good excuse- the Judge may just say 'tough! It's your civic duty!' If it turns out to be a real epic the loss of earnings does not thrill. I know of one friend who was at The Bailey for a year. But then the BBC were paying her.

Suddenly our usher springs into action, the doors are opened and we shuffle in.

It's a smaller court room, modern,overall impression -lots of beechwood. We line the side wall. All the court is assembled including the occupant(s) of the dock . The judge tells us the case is likely to run a month and 20 names will be called at random. If our name is called we are to approach the bench and explain to him if we have a problem with the duration of the case. In front of everyone. Gulp.

First up the lively fellow I had chatted with outside. My Lord , he says, I am a member of the bar. I have my own cases to prepare. I can serve 2 weeks but longer may be a problem. The Judge says in not so many words that as a member of the legal profession he knows how the system works. His excuse is not accepted. Others step forward as their names are called. It appears that only a medical condition or a pre-booked holiday merits a return to the jurors' pool.

This is so unlike Southwark where small cases usually run one or two weeks and if a longer one was expected you just had to stick your hand up in the jury room to be removed from selection. But hey- this is The Bailey. I should have known better.

I hear my name. I am not even going to try and persuade His Honour and will put it in the hands of fate and random selection.

And so we are whittled down to 20. The Judge decides that the selection of 12 will happen the next day - apparently there are matters the court needs to discuss before the case kicks off. The 10 'rejects' go back to Jury Assembly and we 20 are dismissed for the day til Tuesday. It is 11.30am

There are camera crews outside. I can't resist asking who they are waiting for. 'Terrorists' says a camerawoman. I leg it up the street to the tube.

...and that was Day 1.