Some 157
priority courts and tribunal buildings will be kept open for essential
face-to-face hearings, representing 42% of the 370 Crown, magistrates, county
and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice
(MoJ) announced this week.
A further 124
court and tribunal buildings will be closed to the public but open to HM Courts
and Tribunal (HMCTS) staff, the judiciary and those from other agencies.
The Lord Chief
Justice, Lord Burnett said: ‘Technology is being used creatively to ensure that
many cases can continue.
‘Not
everything can be dealt with remotely and so we need to maintain functioning
courts. These temporary adjustments to how we use the court estate will help
ensure that we can continue to deal with work appropriately in all
jurisdictions whilst safeguarding the well-being of all those who work in and
visit the courts.’
The media and
members of the public can attend priority court hearings in person, if safe to
do so in line with Public Health England guidance.
The measures
take effect from 30 March.
Amanda Pinto
QC, Chair of the Bar, said: ‘In the face of this extraordinary pandemic, it
makes sense to consolidate our constrained resources to keep the justice system
on track.
‘It is in the
public interest that justice keeps going and in the circumstances we welcome
the use of remote hearings. With much court and tribunal business now being
conducted remotely, we hope that keeping fewer court buildings open will ensure
essential work can continue without risking the health of those attending
court.
‘At the end of
this crisis, justice must remain strong and intact and our legal professions
must survive to continue to represent the public.’
The Law
Society also welcomed the decision. President Simon Davis said: ‘Balancing
safety with the need to keep the wheels of justice turning is incredibly
difficult.
‘In these
difficult circumstances, holding hearings that require physical attendance in a
reduced number of courts, and ensuring full safety measures in those courts, is
a logical approach. Local, accessible justice is however is vital to our
society. It will also be key for the courts to be re-opened fully once the
crisis is over, to avoid any long term restrictions on the public's access to
justice.’
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