As some of you know, I was recently called up to perform jury service and I've been at court most days since the middle of April. After a week or so I was finally sworn onto the jury for a trial that, at that time, was expected to take around eight to ten weeks - much longer than the week or so average.

As you'd expect, I can't and won't cover any of the details of the trial, but at the start of the case I felt pretty lucky to have found myself party to a seemingly interesting, complex case. The long duration is a result of the nature of the offences, with numerous different witnesses and exhibits to examined in critical detail. It was pretty clear that we wouldn't be able to get to the other side of the trial without learning a lot about our subject matter!

After the opening statements, as jurors it seemed reasonable to expect that it'd be reasonably enthralling and educating stuff. Yes, it'd probably get a bit boring from time to time, but the subject matter and issues to be tackled would mean we'd be entertained on our journey towards a verdict. We're not at court to be entertained of course, but with a potential ten week secondment to the court it'd be very welcome.

Well, it's now week seven. The prosecution only rested it's case a week ago, and there's still a long way to go. Eight to ten weeks could well turn out to be fourteen weeks, possibly longer.

This week particularly, it's really started to drive me a little bit barmy. I always look forward to rising at the end of the day, and getting home.

A court trial such as this is entertainment only to the strange and the affected. The initial spiel of what was purported to have happened saw the entertainment pretty much cease, with only occasional "comedy" moments here and there to provide any respite. It's a chore, and ball-aching one at that.

Jurors have a critically important role and, regardless of attitude towards the proceedings, diligence in concentration and consideration of the evidence isn't optional. On odd occasions sat in court you tend to be reminded that you are potentially playing with people's lives here, and so the matter can't be trivialised at all. I'm still pleased that I'm having this experience and it's something I'll take things from.

However, I just want it to end now.