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Guidance: HMCTS weekly operational summary

Hm Courts Tribunals Service

October 20
16:15 2023

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HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 23 October 2023

The next weekly operational summary will be issued on Friday 27 October 2023.

General

  • Update: Weverecently updated our Contact Us page on GOV.UK, making it easier for users to get in contact with us. Now you canget in touch using our online form for any non-urgent enquiries.
  • Update: 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. Read Nicks LinkedIn post

Crime

Common Platform

  • Update: Defence solicitors and barristerswill 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
  • Update: 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.

  • Reminder: Over 500,000 cases have now been accepted onto Common Platform following on from the platform going live in all magistrates and Crown Courts in England and Wales. Nick Goodwin,HMCTSChief Executive said This achievement is a real testament to the hard work and unfailing dedication of our colleagues and partners in every region.

Civil

  • Update: 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.
  • Reminder: To align with legislative changes introduced into the civil jurisdiction, since Sunday 1 October, legal professionals using the Online Civil Money Claims and Damages Claims systems will have seen additional questions added to the digital directions questionnaires. The questions relate to the appropriate banding for the case as part of the fixed recoverable costs regime. To use these new features, legal professionals must beregistered on MyHMCTS.

Family

Judicial guidance and announcements

Previous editions

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