HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 31 January 2022

Next week’s update will be issued on Friday 4 February 2022.

• Reminder: On Thursday 27 January 2022 England returned to Plan A COVID-19 restrictions. Face coverings are still required in our buildings unless you are exempt, and other safety measures will remain in place. See further advice on precautions you can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Reminder: People with COVID-19 in England and Wales can end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6. In Scotland people with COVID-19 can end their self-isolation early from day 6 onwards providing they record two negative tests taken 24 hours apart.
• Reminder: Courts and tribunals in England, Scotland and Wales remain open for face to face hearings and still have COVID-19 safety measures in place. For example, you must wear a face covering in our buildings, unless you are exempt. Read our full COVID-19 guidance for more details. You should check your regional guidance in England, Scotland or Wales before attending our courts or tribunals.
• 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.
• Reminder: Guidance on how you should prepare for a telephone or video court or tribunal hearing is available via GOV.UK.

Crime

• Reminder: If you have a Common Platform account, you need to login at least once every 90 days to keep it active. If your account is inactive for 90 days, it will be deregistered for security reasons. You will receive an automatic email notifying you before your account is deregistered: login to the system, and your account will remain live.

Civil

• Updated: We’re hosting a webinar on E-Filing for the Court of Appeal to assist practitioners to use the new service once it becomes mandatory on Monday 14 February 2022. The webinar will take place on Friday 11 February 2022. Register for the event now. More information for practitioners is available on the amendment to Practice Direction 510.

Family

• Updated: Our online ‘Find a Will’ service will be temporarily unavailable between Sunday 30 January 2022 and Friday 4 February 2022 due to essential planned maintenance. During this period, you can still apply to find a will by completing Form PA1S.
• Reminder: On Wednesday 26 January 2022 probate fees increased. Applications will cost a single, flat rate of £273. Estates valued at less than £5,000 will continue to be exempt from the fee.
• Reminder: On Wednesday 12 January 2022, MyHMCTS was updated to comply with the Inheritance Tax excepted estates regulations. New guidance for submitting applications is available on GOV.UK.

Tribunals

• Reminder: Our E-Filing service is now live in the Upper Tribunals (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). A guidance note from the President has been published on the Judiciary website.

Judicial guidance and announcements

• Reminder: dxw are working with the Judiciary to make it easier to find the information you need on the judiciary.uk website. You can now register your interest to take part in research to give your opinions on how this could be done.
• For the latest practice directions, advice, and guidance please visit the Judicial Office website.