Late hours, early starts

Criminal lawyers have been granted a reprieve on plans to extend court opening hours—but the family and civil court pilot will still go ahead.

Ministers have dropped their proposal for flexible operating hours pilots in the criminal courts, following fears this could create delays as well as adversely affect lawyers with family or caring responsibilities.

However, voluntary pilots will go ahead in two civil courts in Manchester and Brentford, and in one family court in Manchester.

Andrew Walker QC, chair of the Bar, said: ‘While the type of work involved in the family and civil court pilots is much more limited than that proposed in the criminal courts, we remain very concerned about the implications of early starts and late finishes, and there are many questions still to be answered about the practicality of these revised proposals.

‘Family barristers, in particular, are already working under enormous strain, as are our family courts; and it would be unacceptable and irresponsible to place even greater burdens on them.’