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We've recently updated our ‘Contact Us’ page on GOV.UK, making it easier for users to get in contact with us. Now you can get in touch using our online form for any non-urgent enquiries.
Nick Goodwin meets with the Criminal Bar Association
Chief Executive Nick Goodwin met with new Chair of the Criminal Bar Association last week, to discuss our continued joint efforts to keep improving the criminal courts system for all who use it.
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Common Platform
Defence professionals: reminder to check-in for hearings
Defence solicitors and barristers will need to check-in before attending Crown or Magistrates' Court for all hearings on Common Platform cases.
Checking in confirms your attendance for:
- the court record, as required under the Criminal Procedure Rules
- the bench list of representatives' names for the judge or magistrates
- the Legal Aid Agency, necessary for payment purposes
Preventing court delays
Defence practitioners are being encouraged to help reduce court delays when agents act for them in court.
They can do so by ensuring agents are able to access case materials via the Common Platform when representing clients in the courtroom.
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Help with Fees expansion
The Government announced this week an increase in the income threshold for the ‘Help with Fees’ scheme, making thousands more people eligible for financial help with court fees.
To support the expansion of the scheme, we are updating online and paper applications to make them easier to complete, including by legal representatives and litigation friends.
Guidance will also be updated before the expected go-live date on Monday 27 November 2023.
Applications to Help with Fees should continue to be made alongside the court or tribunal application that requires a fee.
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Probate applications
From Monday 24 October 2023, anyone using MyHMCTS to make probate applications will be able to see all related documents on their dashboard, in the documents tab.
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