Courts and tribunals in England will continue to operate during the lockdown being introduced from 5 November 2020

Message from Lord Chief Justice and Senior President of Tribunals also advises judges they must continue to make full use of remote attendance so that cases can be dealt with 'as soon and as efficiently as possible'

Courts and tribunals in England will continue to operate during the lockdown that is due to come into force from 5 November 2020.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the government intends to introduce regulations that place England back into lockdown for four weeks from 5 November, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and Senior President of Tribunals Sir Keith Lindblom have issued a message that includes that -

‘In March we urged judges across the jurisdictions to facilitate the remote attendance of participants in court proceedings where that was compatible with the interests of justice. The interests of justice are wide and extend beyond the interests of parties in a hearing to encompass the consequences of delay in the case and to the system as a whole. Remote attendance, together with the requirements for social distancing, have led to a significant reduction in footfall in all court buildings whilst enabling thousands of hearings to take place. Significantly reduced footfall will continue to be necessary in this next phase.

Judges and magistrates must continue to make full use of these provisions so that cases can be dealt with as soon and as efficiently as possible.’

NB - guidance on the new national restrictions confirms that, along with courts remaining open, Jobcentre Plus sites will also stay open during the four-week lockdown.

For more information, see Message from the Lord Chief Justice and Senior President of Tribunals: new COVID-19 restrictions for England from judiciary.uk