HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 19 December 2022

The next weekly operational update will be issued on Friday 30 December 2022.

• Reminder: We’re working with We Are Digital on our free national digital support service to help users who cannot get online, including those who cannot access the internet or a computer. Find out more about the national digital support service.
• Reminder: See details of courts and tribunals opening times over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

Crime

• Reminder: Use new contact details for any queries about Common Platform cases in magistrates’ courts in the south-west or Wales. Contact our service centre instead of the court where the case will be heard. Phone 0330 808 4407 or email professionalcontactcrime@justice.gov.uk.
• Reminder: From Tuesday 3 January 2023, the Crown Court Digital Case system (DCS) will permit the use of a further non CPS prosecutor, the Health and Safety Executive. This follows a period of successful testing and will apply to cases sent to the Crown Court on or after 3 January 2023. See guidance and training materials for those who use DCS to access, prepare and present case information. No further non CPS prosecutors will be onboarded to DCS.

Civil

• Updated: On Tuesday 13 December 2022, Medway County and Family Court officially opened its new base in Gun Wharf by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. The project has created 6 hearing rooms, 6 judicial chambers, an advocates’ room and consultation rooms. Gun Wharf has replaced the former site at Anchorage House, which was vacated in June 2021.

Family

• Updated: We’ve updated guidance for local authorities and solicitors using MyHMCTS to make a family public law applications. It’s now easier to find information on the entire process from submitting and serving an application to uploading bundles and documents.
• Updated: We’ve published a recording of our recent financial remedy webinar. This provides an overview of the service on submitting and managing applications. We’ll host an additional session on at 1pm on Wednesday 11 January 2023. Legal professionals can register now available via our Eventbrite channel.

Tribunals

• Updated: We are improving the way both legal professionals and appellants in person can submit their European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) appeals. As part of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber service reform, making the EUSS process digital will significantly reduce EUSS paper appeal volumes. Applicants can now benefit from an easier digital application form and track the progress of their case online. See our guidance for legal professionals.
• Reminder: By increasing the number of days tribunals can operate, as many as 10,700 extra immigration and employment cases could be heard in the next 3 months. Thanks to a combined government investment of £8 million, up to 9,000 more immigration and asylum cases and up to 1,700 Employment Tribunals cases will be heard before the end of March 2023. This will speed up the process for people waiting for their cases to be heard and reduce the waiting time for legal decisions.

Judicial guidance and announcements

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