Courts restrict workload to urgent cases

In a further restriction of the work of the courts pending the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced on Friday 27 March 2020 that the extent of cases being heard will be limited to urgent cases, which will mostly be heard remotely.

By way of summary:

• Jury trials that are underway will continue, but there will be no new jury trials.
• Crown Courts and Magistrates’ courts are only covering urgent work (overnight custody and people brought from prison) (see Magistrates' court cases update; 27 March 2020).
• The High Court and Court of Appeal are only covering urgent work (see The High Court and Court of Appeal work update:27 March 2020).
• The Royal Courts of Justice Fees Office will temporarily close (see Royal Courts of Justice Fees Office update: 27 March 2020).
• Personal attendance at hearings in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) have been suspended and no cases were heard on 27 March 2020 - new dates will be communicated once confirmed.
• As reported on Friday, all ongoing residential possession claims have been suspended.
• The courts are continuing to avoid physical hearings and arranging remote hearings wherever possible - although hearings by telephone, Zoom, Skype and LoopUp are proceeding.

The Judicial Office has published a number of important updates by jurisdiction