Dear all,
I’m pleased that we are able to report more detail on the resumption of jury trials, following the Lord Chief Justice’s announcement yesterday. The plan to roll out jury trials safely has three stages:
- The first tranche is happening very soon with trials in Cardiff and the Central Criminal Court looking very likely to start on Monday 18 May. Other courts likely to start in the course of the next week are Bristol, Reading, Warwick, Winchester and Manchester Minshull St. The final sign-off has yet to happen and each still has to be confirmed independently, probably later this week. Nottingham may also follow. In anticipation of confirmation that they will be suitable, counsel and others involved in the cases to be listed from Monday have already been notified so that they can prepare for trial.
- It is intended that the roll-out of jury trials across other sites in a similar manner will happen in the coming weeks and months to more court centres across England and Wales.
- Much more general restarting of jury trials across the court system is not imminent, but will be determined further ahead.
I am clear that the safety of everyone involved is an absolute priority, not just for the Bar, but also for HMCTS and the judiciary. There has been involvement from Public Health England and Public Health Wales in the restarting of jury trials and we are sure that, without their input, the courts could not be cleared for jury trials to recommence safely. A huge amount of thought and expertise has gone and will continue to go into to making attending courts as safe as possible. I am confident that this hasn’t been a rushed job despite the fact that complex cases involving lots of different participants are starting up again only two months after jury trials had to stop. No doubt there will need to be adjustments made, especially in the early days, but, nonetheless this is a really positive step in the right direction. We know there are also concerns about travel to courts. The government has published this guidance on transport.
I look forward to being able to give you more detail as the roll-out progresses.
Stay safe.
Amanda Pinto QC
Chair of the Bar