HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 11 April 2022

Next week’s update will be issued on Thursday 14 April 2022.

• Updated: We have published updated information on how courts and tribunals have relaxed COVID-19 restrictions which have been in place across our buildings during the pandemic. This follows the government’s publication of guidance on living safely with respiratory infections including COVID-19 in England.
• Updated: We have published a list of courts which will be open over the Easter period.
• Updated: Our Courts and Tribunals Service Centres will be closed on Friday 15 April and Monday 18 April 2022. There will be a limited service available on these dates for crime-related queries.
• Reminder: Since Friday 1 April 2022, intermediaries services became available under a new contract framework. We’ve published guidance on using the service, access to booking forms and approved provider contact details.
• Reminder: On Thursday 31 March 2022 our Nightingale court opened at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Holborn providing 2 Crown courtrooms. It replaces our venue at Monument.

Crime

• Reminder: Common Platform is now live in 11 additional criminal courts in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Read more about the system and continuous improvements we’re making in our latest blog. All criminal defence firms and chambers working at courts in these counties need to register their legal practitioners for Common Platform user accounts if they have not already done so. In addition, defence practitioners need to activate their accounts before attending court.
• Reminder: We revised and updated our guidance for defence professionals on how to use Common Platform.
• Reminder: We also published new guidance for organisational administrators at legal firms and chambers on creating Common Platform user accounts, assigning roles, and other system tasks.
• Reminder: Defence solicitors and barristers attending court for a Common Platform hearing should use the professional check-in feature, in both the Crown and magistrates’ courts. Watch our video guide to find out more. If you experience issues, please let the court usher or clerk know and they can assist. Checking in does not remove the need to communicate with court ushers regarding your case.
• 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

• Reminder: Since Monday 4 April 2022, legal professionals issuing claims for damages that fall under the scope of Practice Direction 51ZB should use the Damages Claim service on MyHMCTS. Legal professionals acting for claimants can find guidance and sign up on GOV.UK. A webinar demonstrating the damages service is now available on our YouTube channel.

Family

• Updated: Our updated online divorce service went live on Wednesday 6 April 2022. The service includes changes as a result of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which reforms the legal requirements and process for divorce.
• Reminder: We’re hosting a webinar for legal professionals to demonstrate our new online divorce service on Tuesday 12 April 2022 at 1pm. Registration is now open.

Judicial guidance and announcements

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