[UPDATED 11.01.21]
Table here of our local bar coordinators – please contact for assistance/queries with court/bar liaison for employment tribunals, criminal and family courts and civil hearings.
January 2021
Approved Circuit policy for Crown Court attendance, with thanks to our Presiders and Resident Judges – HERE
Updated guidance for 2021 from the President of the Family Division – HERE
Escalation routes guidance for reporting to HMCTS – HERE
Specific Points of Contact at courts for hygiene concerns – HERE
November 2020 –
Agreed Framework for Remote Hearings in Criminal Courts – HERE
November Lockdown Hearings at Plymouth Crown Court – guidance HERE
The following court centres have issued protocols for how courts and hearings will proceed during the Covid-19 crisis:
The Remote Family Court Guide (16.04.20)
Family Courts in Avon, North Somerset and Gloucestershire
Dorset Family Courts Recovery Plan (June 2020)
HMCTS policy re Water Supply in Courts/Tribunals in Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire (23.04.20)
Somerset Attended Hearings Plan (15.06.20)
Bournemouth Combined Court Statement and Protocol on Sentencing Defendants on Bail (13.05.20)
Bristol Crown Court – Table of Hearings (29.03.20) , Initial Guidance (25.03.20), PTPH Info (31.03.20) and Letter HHJ Blair QC to Prosecution and Defence (5.05.20)
Exeter Crown Court – Guidance (08.04.20), Contact Details Info (28.04.20) and FCMH Protocols for weeks beginning 8 and 15 June 2020
Gloucester Crown Court and Memo on Gloucester Skype Calls 6.4.20 and Gloucester Crown Court – Court Operation Protocol for Reopening 7 July 2020
Portsmouth Public/Family Law Guidance (14.04.20) , Judicial Preferences for Remote Hearings and Template for Remote Hearings (14.04.20)
Portsmouth Crown Court Note 08.04.20
Plymouth Crown Court guidance 26.03.20 and Prison Video Link/Telephone Conference Info 08.04.20 and Updated guidance to Lawyers 30.03.20
Plymouth/Devon Family Template Order for Remote Hearings
Southampton Crown Court Protocol and Directions and Update on Sentencing Defendants on Bail (28.04.20)
Swindon Crown Court and Letter from HHJ Crabtree re Resumption of Trials and Court Attendance from 29th June
Swindon/Wiltshire Family Hearings – Guidance 20.03.20 and Update 1 (16.04.20) and Update 2 (28.04.20)
Winchester Crown Court Information on the resumption of trials – 21.05.20 and Attendance at Court Protocol (02.07.20)
Truro Crown Court (26.03.20) and Update re Bail and Sentencing (24.04.20)
CPS Guidance on Appearance at Court via Video or Audio Links
NB CRIMINAL PRACTITIONERS – IN RELATION TO ALL COURTS AND ALL HEARINGS YOU NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE CLERK HAS SIGNED YOU INTO “EXHIBIT” – TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE RECORDED AS ATTENDING AND CAN GET PAID FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE.
