Court backlogs having ‘major consequences for victims’, watchdog says as trials scheduled in 2023 – The Independent

Posted March 9th, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, criminal justice, delay, news, victims by tracey

‘Court backlogs are having “major consequences for victims and witnesses”, a watchdog has found, as criminal trials are being scheduled for 2023.’

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The Independent, 9th March 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Call for vulnerable victims to give video evidence amid courts backlog – The Guardian

‘Up to 10,000 vulnerable victims facing long delays for trials should be allowed to give evidence by video in an attempt to stop them falling out of the system, according to the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales.’

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The Guardian, 5th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Family, Drug and Alcohol Court launched to cover Birmingham and Solihull – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 4th, 2021 in alcohol abuse, courts, drug abuse, family courts, news by sally

‘The UK’s 12th Family, Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) – covering the Birmingham and Solihull areas – will hold its first hearings early this month.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 3rd March 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Profession claims victory in fight against extended court hours – Legal Futures

Posted February 4th, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, criminal justice, delay, legal profession, news, working time by sally

‘The legal profession claimed victory last night in the fight against extended operating hours (EOH) in the criminal courts.’

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Legal Futures, 4th February 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Speech by the Master of the Rolls: Reliable data and technology – the direction of travel for Civil Justice – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

Posted January 29th, 2021 in computer programs, courts, electronic filing, speeches by tracey

‘Speech by the Master of the Rolls: Reliable data and technology – the direction of travel for Civil Justice.’

Full speech

Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 28th January 2021

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Lack of data leaves courts “flying blind” on impact of Covid, MPs told – Legal Futures

Posted January 28th, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, HM Courts Service, news, statistics by sally

‘The courts system is failing to collect vital information about the performance of judges and trials during the Covid-19 pandemic, an expert has told Parliament.’

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Legal Futures, 28th January 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Coronavirus: Cut jury size to clear courts backlog – Labour – BBC News

Posted January 27th, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, criminal justice, delay, juries, news, political parties by sally

‘Labour is calling for juries to be cut from 12 members to seven, to stem the “gravest crisis” in the justice system since World War Two.’

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BBC News, 26th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Senior Courts Costs Office Guide – the 2021 version is now available – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted January 25th, 2021 in codes of practice, costs, courts, reports by tracey

‘The latest version of the Senior Courts Costs Office Guide has been published.
This 2021 update hasn’t changed extensively from when it was last published in 2018, but reflects some fundamental changes in practice which occurred before COVID-19 and which have been increased as a result of it.’

Full guide

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 25th January 2021

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Covid: Close courts in England and Wales or face strikes, union warns – BBC News

Posted January 21st, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, industrial action, news, trade unions by sally

‘A union has warned of industrial action unless courts in England and Wales close while improvements are made to staff coronavirus safety.’

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BBC News, 20th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Senior judges issue guidance on wearing masks and face coverings in courts – Local Government Lawyer

Posted January 20th, 2021 in codes of practice, coronavirus, courts, health & safety, news by sally

‘The Senior Presiding Judge, Lady Justice Thirlwall, and the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, have issued new guidance on the wearing of masks and face coverings in courts.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 18th January 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court and tribunal buildings are safe, insists acting chief executive of HMCTS – Local Government Lawyer

Posted January 20th, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, health & safety, HM Courts Service, news, tribunals by sally

‘Buildings operated by HM Courts and Tribunals Service are safe for those that need to use them, the organisation’s acting chief executive has insisted.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th January 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Case backlog threatens UK criminal justice system, say inspectors – The Guardian

Posted January 19th, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, criminal justice, delay, news, prisons, reports, young offenders by sally

‘Urgent action is needed to tackle an “unprecedented backlog” of court cases built up during the pandemic that has “severe implications” for victims, the UK’s four justice chief inspectors have warned.’

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The Guardian, 19th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Law Society calls for two-week pause of non-custodial Crown and Magistrates court work – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Law Society has called for urgent action including a possible two-week pause of non-custodial Crown and magistrates’ court work “amid escalating safety concerns”.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 15th January 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Criminal solicitors body warns members it is not safe to attend Magistrates’ courts – Local Government Lawyer

‘The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA) has advised its members that it is not safe to continue to attend Magistrates’ courts.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th January 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Covid leading to four-year waits for England and Wales court trials – The Guardian

‘Defendants, victims including teenagers, and witnesses are having to wait up to four years from the time of an alleged offence to the case reaching crown court trial because of delays caused mainly by Covid.’

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The Guardian, 10th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Courts stay open as England plunged back into lockdown – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 5th, 2021 in coronavirus, courts, juries, legal profession, news, regulations by sally

‘Courts will remain open during the new Covid-19 restrictions applying across England, the government confirmed last night. Guidelines state that reasonable excuses for leaving home during lockdown include fulfilment of legal obligations, such as attending court as a lawyer or jury member, or to carry out activities relating to buying, selling or letting a home.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 5th January 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Female advocates “will lose work” if court hours are extended – Legal Futures

Posted December 17th, 2020 in barristers, carers, coronavirus, courts, news, women, working time by tracey

‘Advocates unable to cover extended operating hours in the courts will likely lose work and could be driven out of the profession as a result, a high-profile group of women barristers has told the government.’

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Legal Futures, 17th December 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bar instructs lawyers to fight Covid-19 operating hours plan – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The criminal bar has instructed heavyweight law firm Mishcon de Reya to help it fight controversial proposals to extend Covid-19 operating hours to more courts. HM Courts & Tribunals Service is considering rolling out the model from January. A rapid consultation on the proposals closed yesterday.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 15th December 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lord Chief Justice press conference December 2020 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

‘Lord Chief Justice press conference December 2020’

Full transcript

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 2nd December 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Youth court closures in England and Wales due to Covid ‘have almost doubled backlog’ – The Guardian

‘The temporary closure of youth courts due to Covid-19 has almost doubled the backlog of cases in some areas of England and Wales, increasing anguish for traumatised victims and creating more uncertainty for accused children, inspectors have found.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 20th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com