Key features include electronic filing and service, online payment options and an ‘eligibility checker’ for self-represented parties. The websites will interact with the portal to speed up case information updates. Statements of facts and issues and written cases will be published on the case page a week before the appeal hearing.
Lawyers will be required to use the portal. Self-represented parties will be offered support to do so.
New rules and practice directions will be published for the portal. However, cases filed before the portal launches will be subject to the previous rules.