MODEL LETTERS FOR LAWYERS IN THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
I am grateful to John McQuater, solicitor, for sending me copies of model letters for use in the current crisis. The first is for the client, the other to the other side in litigation. Emergency 1 – Letter to client…

INFORMATION FOR QUEEN’S BENCH COURT USERS QUEEN’S BENCH MASTERS HEARINGS AND QB ACTION DEPARTMENT
Further guidance has been issued by the Queens’ Bench Division in relation to hearings before QB Masters. CORONAVIRUS BULLETIN 2 “In the light of the developments of the last 48 hours, the situation has changed from the communication sent out…

REMOTE WORKING AND THE LITIGATOR 4: YOU CAN AGREE TO EXTEND TIME FOR SERVICE OF THE CLAIM FORM: BUT YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL
One question asked after I gave a webinar this morning was whether it is possible for the parties to agree an extension of time for service of the claim form. The brief answer is – yes it is. Care has…

NEW PRACTICE DIRECTION COMES INTO FORCE TODAY: VIDEO OR AUDIO HEARINGS DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
A new Practice Direction comes into force today governing remote hearings. 116th UPDATE – PRACTICE DIRECTION AMENDMENTS PRACTICE DIRECTION 51Y – VIDEO OR AUDIO HEARINGS DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC This Practice Direction supplements Part 51 1. This practice direction, made under…

LIVERPOOL CIVIL COURT HAS OPENED A TWITTER ACCOUNT: JUST WHEN WE NEED A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS…
Liverpool Civil Court has opened its own Twitter Account. @court_civil THE ACCOUNT The account opened today has the byline “Judges and staff at Liverpool civil courts engaging with court users, at times of Covid 19 and hopefully beyond” THE…

REMOTE WORKING AND THE LITIGATOR 3: SIGNING WITNESS STATEMENTS IN A TIME OF SOCIAL ISOLATION
One major difficulty that faces all litigators at present is how to get witness statements signed. Here are a few ideas. E-SIGNATURES MAY BE VALID There is no binding authority on this issue. However the decision of District Judge…

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS: MEDCO ALLOW REMOTE EXAMINATIONS
Last week Medco issued a ban on remote video medical examinations. Today it has changed its mind, in an announcement available here. THE ANNOUNCEMENT REMOTE EXAMINATIONS With immediate effect and until further notice the ban on remote video medical…