HMCTS operational summary 21 April 2020

• We’re consolidating the work of courts and tribunals into fewer buildings. Some building are open to the public, some buildings are staffed but are not open to the public, and some buildings are temporarily closed. The list was updated 20 April 2020
• Where courts and tribunals are closed, we’ll contact parties directly to confirm new hearing arrangements. We’ll contact those parties whose hearings were scheduled to happen first, and work our way through the list as quickly as possible. Please be patient while we do this, and avoid making contact if you can.
• Cloud Video Platform (CVP) will start to be used in some civil and family hearings, as well as Skype. Please see our updated telephone and video hearings during coronavirus outbreak and a guide on how to join a telephone and video hearing
• Our Courts and Tribunals Service Centres will be available from 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4pm on Fridays until further notice
• Our South East region will only be taking calls between 10am to 2pm in all jurisdictions (with the exceptions on the next line)
• Chelmsford, Norwich, Ipswich and Basildon Crown Courts are temporarily unable to answer calls. The recorded message will advise you what to do
• We’re continuing to avoid physical hearings and arranging remote hearings wherever possible. Anyone who requires technical support for a telephone or video hearing can call 0330 8089405
• We’ve introduced temporary new hours in our Scotland contact centre. HMCTS Scotland contact centre opening hours 21 April 2020 (PDF, 149KB, 1 page)

Crime

• There are no Jury trials currently underway
• Crown Courts are dealing with a range of work, much of which is being done remotely. This includes sentencing hearings and all urgent applications including applications for bail and applications to extend custody time limits. Pre-trial preparation hearings and further case management hearings are also taking place
• Magistrates’ courts are only covering urgent work and we plan to re-start work on police traffic prosecution cases that can be dealt with remotely. Magistrates’ court cases update: 21 April 2020 (PDF, 235KB, 1 page). The Judiciary have published a note of listing in magistrates’ courts during coronavirus outbreak
• Since 19 March 2020 Single Justice Procedure cases – other than some police road traffic cases – have been suspended. Decisions on those cases already listed will be delayed, as will all cases where there has been a not guilty plea
• All questions about paying an outstanding criminal court fine should be sent to our National Compliance and Enforcement Service at NCESBCT@justice.gov.uk or call 0300 123 9252

Family

• Family courts business priorities. Family court business priorities 21 April 2020 (PDF, 164KB, 1 page)
• Family court C100 (child arrangements) guidance. Family court: Child Arrangements C100 application guidance (PDF, 237KB, 1 page)
• 2-week rapid consultation on remote hearings in Family Court launched by Judiciary
• Guidance on replacement of affidavits with statements of truth in non-contentious probate processes

Civil

• Civil court listing priorities. Civil court listing priorities 21 April 2020 (PDF, 332KB, 1 page)

Tribunals

• Various user help guides published: Administrative Appeals Chamber, Employment Tribunals, General Regulatory Chamber, Health, Education and Social Care Chamber, Immigration and Asylum Chamber, Lands Chamber, Property Chamber, Tax and Chancery Chamber (Upper Tier), Tax Chamber First Tier and War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber
• First tier tax tribunal operational update First tier tax tribunal operational update 21 April 2020 (PDF, 169KB, 1 page)
• Property and General Regulatory Chamber operational updates Property and General Regulatory Chamber operational updates 21 April 2020 (PDF, 62.8KB, 1 page)
• The Judiciary have published a frequently asked questions document on Employment Tribunals during the coronavirus for parties who are representing themselves and professional representatives
• Mental Health Tribunal telephone hearing guidance. Mental Health Tribunal telephone guidance 21 April 2020 (PDF, 156KB, 1 page)
• First Tier Immigration and Asylum Tribunal operational update. First Tier IAC operational update 21 April 2020 (PDF, 164KB, 1 page)
• Upper Tier Immigration and Asylum Tribunal operational update. Upper Tier IAC operational update 21 April 2020 (PDF, 240KB, 1 page)

Royal Courts of Justice

• The Royal Courts of Justice Operational Update: The Royal Courts of Justice operational update 21 April 2020 (PDF, 130KB, 1 page).
• The High Court is covering work according to the High Court Contingency Plan. More detailed guidance for the Administrative Court Office. Administrative Court Office guidance (PDF, 270KB, 4 pages) More detailed guidance for the Queen’s Bench. Queen’s Bench guidance (PDF, 394KB, 3 pages) Queen’s Bench guidance – Bulletin 2 (PDF, 407KB, 3 pages) Queen’s Bench guidance – Bulletin 3 (PDF, 241KB, 1 page) Queen’s Bench guidance – Bulletin 4 (PDF, 261KB, 2 pages) Queen’s Bench guidance – Interim Applications Court (PDF, 166KB, 1 page) Queen’s Bench guidance – Bulletin 5 (PDF, 168KB, 2 pages)
• The Court of Appeal Civil Division is covering work according to the RCJ Court of Appeal Civil urgent business priorities. Court of Appeal Civil urgent business priorities 21 April 2020 (PDF, 164KB, 1 page).
• The Court of Appeal Criminal Division is covering work according to the RCJ Court of Appeal Criminal Emergency Plan. RCJ Court of Appeal Criminal Division update 21 April 2020 (PDF, 163KB, 1 page). The RCJ Criminal Appeal Office is temporarily unable to receive emails at its usual email addresses. Please temp use criminalappealoffice@justice.gov.uk to lodge documents, enquire on cases listed for w/c 20 April 2020 or for urgent appeal applications.
• The Royal Courts of Justice Fees Office has temporarily closed. Royal Courts of Justice Fees Office update: 21 April 2020 (PDF, 252KB, 1 page)

Judicial announcements

• Judicial Office has published a number of important updates by jurisdiction

Please visit our GOV.UK page for all operational updates.