HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 29 November 2021

Next week’s update will be issued on Friday 6 December 2021.

• Updated: Newport will be home to our fifth Service Centre providing support for people using courts and tribunals. It will support over 100 jobs across the region and will be located near Newport Magistrates’ Court. It is due to be occupied in May 2022. Since 2019, we’ve opened four Service Centres in Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Loughborough and Salford.
• Updated: We’ve published our 2021 Communciations and Engagement Report following a survey of professional court and tribunal users earlier this year. Results will be used to improve the way we communicate and engage with our stakeholders and professional users.
• We’ve published recordings from all sessions held at this year’s Annual Public User Event.
• Reminder: We’ve published details of which courts and tribunals will be closed over the Christmas period.
• Reminder: Everyone coming to our buildings should wear a face covering, unless exempt (for example, anyone under 11 years old).
• Reminder: You should continue to follow the relevant self-isolation rules which changed in August 2021 for England, Wales and Scotland.
• Reminder: We encourage individuals to take a free, rapid lateral flow COVID-19 test before coming to a court or tribunal. These are free and readily available in your local area, or to order online. Anyone who tests positive should self-isolate and follow the latest NHS advice.

Crime

• Updated: To allow for planned improvements to be completed, we have decided to extend the pause to rollout, and will not go live with Common Platform in any further courts this calendar year. The changes will improve the speed and usability of Common Platform for current users, and put us in a stronger position to conclude rollout at pace in the new year.
• Updated: We have published a new ‘get started’ web page for defence professionals using our Common Platform case management system. This page includes links to essential guidance and contact details for our service centre and the helpdesk.
• New HMPPS guidance means since Monday 22 November 2021, social distancing can be removed in court docks. Existing physical safety measures (such as screens) will remain, face coverings will be mandatory for staff and defendants will be strongly encouraged to wear them. Prison Escort Custody Services (PECS) is responsible for the safety and security of the dock area – which it reviews after a physical adaption – and will increase safety measures if specific local risks are identified.

Civil

• All Civil and Family courts in Wales have now gone live with Scheduling and Listing. Users will now be able to view court lists in the new format.

Family

• Updated: From Monday 29 November 2021 local authorities and legal firms under the jurisdictions of Cheshire & Merseyside, Leeds; Wrexham, Brighton, Guildford, York, Portsmouth, West London, Northampton, Teesside, Norwich and Greater Manchester family courts should upload C110a applications for care and supervision orders and discharge of care and supervision orders online to the Family Public Law digital system. Supporting documents for applications required by the Family Court should also be uploaded to the system. Guidance on applying for a family law order is available via GOV.UK

Judicial guidance and announcements

• For the latest practice directions, advice, and guidance please visit the Judicial Office website.