The Western Circuit recognises this has been a difficult time for the bar both locally and nationally. This page links to some of the guidance and support we have been able to provide throughout the pandemic, as well as updates from local courts as we receive them. If you have any concerns about operating during the pandemic, please contact your local bar coordinator.
Southampton Combined Court 1 October 2021
Isle of Wight (Newport) Combined Court 21 August 2021
Taunton Combined Court 16 August 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.
Interim Guidance – HERE – (15.05.20) from the President of the QBD regarding listing as trials resume.
Guidance – HERE – (14.05.20) on Amended Listing Priorities in the County Court.
Remote Civil Hearings – Updated guide (6 July 2020) by Luke Ashby of 3PB for legal professionals with advice on ensuring remote hearings are efficient and fair – HERE
CIVIL CIRCUIT PROTOCOL (19.05.20) from DCJs HHJ Cotter QC, HHJ Gore QC and HHJ Parkes QC – HERE
and BRISTOL Fast Track/Multi Track Generic Order for Hearings after 10th July – HERE
Specific Points of Contact at courts for hygiene concerns – HERE
The Circuit Committee’s Wellbeing representative, Hollie Gilbery, has compiled a Wellbeing blog – read it here – providing advice, resources and reassurance to support and encourage your wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis and beyond.
[The blog’s suggestion for a Challenge is here, and a Weekly Planner Template is here]
Thank you also to Yasmine El-Nazer at Albion Chambers who has also written an article to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month highlighting stressors at the Bar and suggestions for managing those stressors and your wellbeing particularly during the pandemic. Read Yasmine’s article HERE
[UPDATED 27 NOVEMBER 2020]
The Circuit has a sub-committee of members who are working to help support the IT requirements of working remotely and preparing to conduct video hearings. Their guidance (Second Edition, 2 April 2020) is HERE and contains advice about the available programmes for video and telephone hearings. Advice will continue to be amended and updated on this page.
The Inns of Court College of Advocacy has produced a guide entitled Principles of Remote Advocacy – here and the CPS has produced a guide to remote hearings here – CPS Guidance for Appearing at Court via Video or Audio Links [30.03.20]
MacBooks and ClickShare
A number of barristers using MacBooks have encountered significant problems with ClickShare in the last few months. This results in the MacBook losing the ClickShare connection after a few minutes, or the video and audio stuttering.
Thank you to the Midland Circuit, who have worked out a relatively simple fix for this problem, which they are happy to share – it can be read HERE
Cloud Video Platform
27 May 2020 – HMPPS User Guidance for CVP Video Meeting Rooms – HERE
North Eastern Circuit Guides:
Connecting to a Court Hearing via the Cloud Video Platform
Connecting to a Prison/YOI via the Cloud Video Platform
“How To” Guides
How To – Skype for Business [24.04.20]
How To – Skype Conferences [09.04.20]
How To – Zoom for the Family Bar [30.03.20]
IT Support within Chambers and from the Circuit
As the bar moves increasingly online throughout this situation, it will be important to ensure that everyone is supported in accessing the correct programmes properly. Documents will be provided as quickly as possible regarding the various products, and as the courts’ positions develop. For now:
Elizabeth Bowden: ebowden@college-chambers.co.uk
Holly Rust: holly.rust@devonchambers.co.uk
Piers Norsworthy: piers.norsworthy@devonchambers.co.uk
The Western Circuit has prepared a guidance document – view here – with advice and resources for barristers in relation to insurance, benefits, self-employed grant, taxes, VAT, loans, mortgages and debt, fees, practising certificate fees, and applications to the Barristers’ Benevolent Association. The guidance will be updated regularly as the situation progresses.
Bar Council’s Summary of BBLS Lenders May 2020 is HERE
To request more information or for any enquries Contact Us