Dear all,
Please see below an update from HMCTS on the planned schedule for the reopening of more courts and tribunals between now and 3 July. Because this is dependent on each site being assessed as safe to open before it can do so, it is subject to change but we believe it is helpful to all professional users to have advance notice of intended court openings.
Sites reopening w/c 15 June
Sites reopening w/c 22 June
Sites reopening w/c 29 June
HMCTS has confirmed that the following seven Crown Courts will resume jury trials next week. These are:
- Swansea Crown Court (15 June)
- Newport Crown Court (15 June)
- Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court (15 June)
- Wood Green Crown Court (15 June)
- Nottingham Crown Court (15 June)
- Bradford Crown Court (16 June)
- Caernarfon Crown Court (17 June)
I will keep you updated as regularly as possible.
Since early April we have been calling for the underlying data of court listings across all jurisdictions. As you might remember, last week I suggested we were being fobbed off. I am pleased that the data has now been made public.
We are analysing the HMCTS data to see what it shows the impact of Covid-19 has been, on top of the existing backlog of cases. The experiences you have been reporting to us appear to be (unsurprisingly) borne out by the data now provided.
I wish you all a lovely weekend and stay safe.
Amanda Pinto QC
Chair of the Bar