Justice system new arrangements

The courts are currently doing their best to carry on and to keep the justice system working. Changes to individual hearings will be communicated to those directly affected by email and/or phone.

Courts will be consolidated into fewer buildings and there will be 157 priority court and tribunal buildings open for the most essential face-to-face hearings.  There will be 124 staffed courts which are not open to the public and 89 courts are being temporarily closed.

Trials which are already underway will continue until they have reached a conclusion and all new trials will be postponed so there is likely to be a backlog in the weeks and months ahead.

Advice is available for all court and tribunal users at

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-courts-and-tribunals-planning-and-preparation