In guidance issued this week, HMCTS states: ‘Any changes to individual hearings will be communicated directly to those affected in the usual way, usually by email and/or phone.’
All court and tribunal users, including witnesses and jurors, should read the latest information about prevention, treatment and travel. HMCTS reiterates government advice that individuals stay at home for seven days if they have either ‘a high temperature’ or ‘a new continuous cough’, and do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Where COVID-19 infection is suspected or confirmed, they should contact the relevant court or tribunal.
As NLJ reported this week, judges have been taking a pragmatic approach to adjournment of cases, in response to the virus. For example, London Central employment tribunal postponed a whistleblowing and unfair dismissal case last week after being informed a Simons Muirhead & Burton client had displayed symptoms. The judge did not ask for medical evidence to be produced, as would normally be the case, and allowed the case to be postponed on lesser evidence.
Hygiene in the court and tribunal buildings has been stepped up, following complaints of a lack of soap at washing facilities, and security policy has been changed to allow people to bring in their own hand sanitisers.
