Digital Preparation for Effective Trial (PET) and Better Case Management (BCM) forms
In the week beginning Monday 22 May, we will digitise the Preparation for Effective Trial (PET) and Better Case Management (BCM) forms, and Common Platform users will be able to enter this data online. The new forms will be in use from Wednesday 24 May.
The prosecution and defence will be expected to complete their parts of the form in line with their duty under Criminal Procedure rule 3.3. Please ensure that your section of the form is completed accurately, and in a timely fashion. Errors or omissions in the information provided or incomplete forms are likely to result in unnecessary delay in your case being called on or during the hearing.
Common Platform will automatically generate a PDF document once each form is finalised in court and add it to the Case Material section.
Multiple users will also be able to access and view the forms at the same time. This is one of the main benefits of Common Platform – to enable all the parties in a criminal case with user accounts to access the same case information as soon as it’s uploaded or updated.
Find out more
Read our guidance to see how defence professionals will access and complete PET and BCM forms.
You can also watch a video which shows how to use the digitised forms.
We hosted a webinar for defence professionals on 22 February which included a demo of the new functionality and a question-and-answer session. Watch a video of the webinar.
Next steps
This change will go live as part of work to link up Common Platform with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) case management system. The 2 applications will then be able to share information directly and securely. Further system improvements are scheduled to take place later in 2023.
Help and guidance for defence professionals using Common Platform
Get started using Common Platform to view and manage case details, or read our guidance to find out more about using Common Platform effectively.
If you need help accessing case details, email our service centre or call 0330 808 4407.
Join one of our regular online support sessions for defence professionals. We hold the sessions on Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Thursdays at 9am.
Get technical support
If you’re having problems signing into Common Platform, or if you experience technical issues, contact our helpdesk by:
We aim to respond to all emails within 5 working days.
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