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HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 20 March 2023

The next weekly operational summary will be issued on Friday 24 March 2023.

Crime

Sentencing guidelines

• Reminder: Following a consultation, the Sentencing Council has published a list of amendments to sentencing guidelines. This is in response to recent changes in legislation and feedback from users. The changes apply to magistrates and Crown courts and will come into effect on 1 April 2023.

Common Platform

• Reminder: Its now easier for defence professionals to access case details on Common Platform. For most cases, you do not need to enter the unique reference number (URN) if you have the defendants name, date of birth and the hearing date. Read guidance on accessing case details.

• Reminder: Organisation administrators need to keep defence firms and chambers details up-to-date and manage colleagues account access on Common Platform. Our guidance explains the role of an administrator and how to manage user accounts. Read about being an organisation administrator.

• Reminder: Defence solicitors and barristers can join one of our regular online support sessions to get help with using Common Platform. Well answer questions, offer advice and help with troubleshooting. Sessions take place on Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Thursdays at9am. Email to book a session. For details on using Common Platform, watch our videos onhow to use Common Platformand account registration and security. You can also read our how-to guides.

Civil

Damages claims services

• Reminder: As part of the civil reform project to create a fully digital damages claims service, weve introduced new functions for legal representatives and judges. Firms will need to sign up to MyHMCTS and add their staff to the system to use these functions. Since 1 March 2023, legal representatives can use MyHMCTS to request and issue a default judgment in the online civil money claims or damages service against another legally represented party. They can review and progress their case at any time using the online portal. Since 8 March 2023, judges, or legal advisors in appropriate cases, can provide a small claims or fast track standard directions order on a case after reviewing the digital case file. Notification of the digital order will then be sent electronically to legal representatives and will be available on the portal. The introduction of digital orders should significantly reduce the current wait by parties for their case to be reviewed and allocated.

Family

Financial remedy

• Update: Please let us know youre representing a party on a financial remedy case using the notice of change option on MyHMCTS. Find guidance on how to submit a notice of change.

Judicial guidance and announcements

• For the latest practice directions, advice, and guidance, visit the Judicial Office website.

Previous editions

• HMCTS Update - 13 March 2023
• HMCTS Update - 6 March 2023
• HMCTS Update - 27 February 2023
• HMCTS Update - 20 February 2023
• HMCTS Update - 13 February 2023
• HMCTS Update - 6 February 2023
• Week commencing Monday 30 January 2023
• Week commencing Monday 23 January 2023
• Week commencing Monday 16 January 2023
• Week commencing Monday 9 January 2023
• Week commencing Monday 2 January 2023
• Week commencing Monday 19 December 2022
• Week commencing Monday 12 December 2022
• Week commencing Monday 5 December 2022