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Next week’s update will be issued on Friday 17 June 2022.
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Updated: Barristers and solicitors with cross-examination expertise and vulnerable witness and advocacy training are invited to register for court appointed cross-examination work in family and civil proceedings. New Domestic Abuse Act 2021 measures will prohibit alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse and their victims from cross-examining each other, with the court appointing legal practitioners to cross-examine prohibited parties. For information on requirements and registration, please contact: QLRCross-Exam@justice.gov.uk.
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Reminder: We announced that a new tribunals centre will open in London by the end of 2023.
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Reminder: The pilot on extended our Courts and Tribunals Service Centres operating hours will end on Saturday 28 May 2022. From Monday 30 May 2022 both divorce and probate contact hours will revert to 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday), and services will be closed to the public on Saturdays. This includes calls and webchat.
Crime
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Updated: Victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape and modern slavery can now have their cross-examination pre-recorded and played back later during the trial in 11 additional Crown Courts.
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Reminder: Before a defence professional attends court for a Common Platform hearing, they will need to complete their account and security set up. This includes setting up the Microsoft Authenticator app on a registered mobile phone.
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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.
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Reminder: We published step-by-step 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.
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Reminder: 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.
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Reminder: 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.
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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. This lets the court know you are present, and records your name against the court record for payment purposes.
Civil
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Updated: We published a recording of our recent webinar on the Video Hearings service.
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Reminder: The planned update to the Civil Procedure Rules, stating that responses to claims made under Practice Direction 51ZB should be made using the Damages Claims Portal, has been delayed. We will announce a new date in due course.
Family
Judicial guidance and announcements
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