HMCTS Weekly Operational Update - Week commencing Monday 3 October 2022

HMCTS weekly operational update

HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 3 October 2022

Next week’s update will be issued on Friday 7 October 2022.

  • Updated: Endeavour House has opened in Greenmarket, Dundee. The project has created 4 new hearing rooms - 2 for Social Security and Child Support and 2 for Employment Tribunals. It also has 4 judicial chambers and 4 waiting rooms. Staff have moved to the new site from Caledonian House, which previously housed the work.
  • Updated: Royalty House has opened as the new home of Watford County Court and Family Court. We purchased the building earlier this year and it includes 8 hearing rooms and ancillary accommodation. Royalty House, in King Street, replaces the building we previously leased at Cassiobury House.
  • Reminder: We want to continue to improve our communications. Tell us what you think of information you receive in our weekly operational update and our weekly roundup.

Crime

  • Reminder: The Crown Court Digital Case system (DCS) will now permit the use of 3 additional Non-CPS Prosecutors: Insolvency Service, Environment Agency and Serious Fraud Office. This follows a period of successful testing and applies to cases sent to the Crown Court on or after Monday 26 September. Find guidance and training materials for those who use DCS to access, prepare and present case information.
  • Reminder: Court 14 at Isleworth Crown Court is now operational. This remote courtroom will hear case management and interlocutory hearings where defendants are not required to attend in person. The Judge and Clerk will be physically present in Court 14 and all other required participants will join hearings using video link technology. Members of the public and the press can view proceedings in the Court 14 public gallery, which will livestream all cases. This courtroom will provide additional capacity and allow other jury enabled courtrooms in the building to list trials. We carried out essential works in these rooms over the summer to prepare the courtroom and viewing gallery for operational use.
  • Reminder: Criminal defence representatives should include the words “BAR ACTION” in the subject line of any email to the court about affected cases, so we can make the relevant judge aware as quickly as possible.

Civil

  • Reminder: Legal representatives must respond to claims for damages under Practice Direction 51ZB using the damages claim portal. This applies to claims issued on or after 15 September. The Damages Claims team based at the County Court Money Claims Centre in Salford will return paper responses where responses should have been made online. They will also process those cases that move from the online to the paper route, for example where only part of the claim is accepted. Read our guidance for legal representatives on how to register with MyHMCTS.

Family

Judicial guidance and announcements