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General

Easter opening times 

Courts and tribunals opening times over the Easter period

Our courts and tribunals will temporarily close over the Easter period, from Friday 7 to Monday 10 April 2023. Some magistrates’ courts will be open on Saturday 8 and Monday 10 April 2023, but for remand hearings only.

Hosting the Supreme Court at Manchester 

Preparing for a landmark sitting 

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court sat at Manchester Civil Justice Centre. It was the first time the Supreme Court sat outside one of the UK's 4 capital cities.  

HMCTS safeguarding policy 

Protecting our most vulnerable users

We've developed a safeguarding policy to protect people who might be at risk of abuse and neglect. 

HMCTS reform

Reminder: Update on reform progress

Our CEO Nick Goodwin gave an update on the Reform Programme, including progress made so far and next steps for the year ahead.

Public User Event 2023

Reminder: We hosted our sixth annual Public User Event 

Our annual Public User Event returned to its usual in-person format at our headquarters in London last week.

The event reflected on achievements and focused on the future – it covered the latest progress of the Reform Programme across criminal, civil, family and tribunals jurisdictions. 

Crime

Common Platform 

Dorset criminal courts

The Common Platform case management system is now in use in these Dorset courts:

• Bournemouth Crown Court
• Poole Magistrates' Court
• Weymouth Magistrates' Court

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.

Use new contact details in magistrates' courts

From Monday 3 April 2023, use new contact details for any queries about Common Platform cases in magistrates’ courts in:

• Carlisle
• Workington

Contact our Courts and Tribunals Service Centre instead of the court by phoning 0330 808 4407 or emailing professionalcontactcrime@justice.gov.uk. 

Reminder: British Transport Police cases in Wales moved to Common Platform

All British Transport Police cases in Wales are now managed on Common Platform.

Queries about all Common Platform cases in the magistrates’ court in Wales – including British Transport Police cases ­– should be directed to our Courts and Tribunals Service Centre:

Defence professionals can email professionalcontactcrime@justice.gov.uk

Members of the public can email contactcrime@justice.gov.uk

or phone 0330 808 4407

Family

Family court applications 

Reminder: Making an application in existing court proceedings using form C2

Please use the application form C2 to make applications under the Children Act 1989. The Family Public Law service has recently received applications using old versions of the form that have become corrupted.

Please remember to check case management systems and knowledge repositories to ensure they contain the current form.

Read the HMCTS Update on GOV.UK.

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