HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 16 May 2022

Next week’s update will be issued on Friday 20 May 2022.

• Updated: We’ve launched a new Reporters’ Charter to outline the rights and responsibilities of court reporters and to boost transparency in the justice system.
• Reminder: We’ve relaxed many of the restrictions that were in place across our court and tribunal buildings during the pandemic.

Crime

• Updated: Section 28 measures have been rolled out to a further 14 locations to support more victims of rape and sexual offences with the stress of being cross-examined in court.
• Updated: To find case details on Common Platform, defence professionals will need the case unique reference number and the first name, last name and date of birth of all defendants. The case reference number can be obtained from the charge sheet, public court list or by contacting our service centre by email: ProfessionalContactCrime@justice.gov.uk or call 0330 808 4407.
• Updated: For help and support in using Common Platform, defence professionals should speak to their organisation’s administrator or contact our helpdesk. Telephone 0300 303 0688, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (excluding bank holidays), or email CJSCP-DefenceServiceDesk@hmcts.net.
• Reminder: We published guidance for defence professionals on how to use Common Platform, and guidance for organisational administrators at legal firms and chambers on creating 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.
• 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. If you are deregistered, ask your organisation administrator to re-register you.

Family

• Updated: New guidance on responding to a new family public law order application on MyHMCTS is available on GOV.UK. This includes information on how to find a case and make an additional application and covers emergency protection orders and care orders and interim care orders.

Judicial guidance and announcements

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