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Sentencing guidelines
Reminder: Sentencing Council publish amendments to sentencing guidelines
Following a consultation, the Sentencing Council has published a list of amendments to sentencing guidelines. This is in response to recent changes in legislation and feedback from users. The changes apply to magistrates’ courts and Crown Courts and will come into effect on 1 April 2023.
Common Platform
Reminder: Searching for Common Platform cases without the unique reference number (URN)
It's now easier for defence professionals to access case details on Common Platform. For most cases, you do not need to enter the URN if you have the defendant’s name, date of birth and the hearing date.
Reminder: Organisation administrators on Common Platform
Organisation administrators need to keep defence firms’ and chambers’ details up-to-date and manage colleagues’ account access on Common Platform. Our guidance explains the role of an administrator and how to manage user accounts.
Book your space at a drop in session
Defence solicitors and barristers can join one of our regular online support sessions to get help with using Common Platform. We’ll answer questions, offer advice and help with troubleshooting. Sessions take place on 📅 Tuesdays at 🕐 4:30pm and 📅 Thursdays at 🕐 9am.
For details on using Common Platform, watch our videos on how to use Common Platform and account registration and security. You can also read our how-to guides.
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Damages claims service
Reminder: New functions introduced for legal representatives and judges
As part of the civil reform project to create a fully digital damages claims service, we've introduced new functions for legal representatives and judges. Firms will need to sign up to MyHMCTS and add their staff to the system to use these functions.
Since 1 March 2023, legal representatives can use MyHMCTS to request and issue a default judgment in the online civil money claims or damages service against another legally represented party. They can review and progress their case at any time using the online portal.
Since 8 March 2023, judges, or legal advisors in appropriate cases, can provide a small claims or fast track standard directions order on a case after reviewing the digital case file. Notification of the digital order will then be sent electronically to legal representatives and will be available on the portal.
The introduction of digital orders should significantly reduce the current wait by parties for their case to be reviewed and allocated.
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Financial remedy
Representing parties on a financial remedy case
Important reminder - please let us know you're representing a party on a financial remedy case using the notice of change option on MyHMCTS.
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