REMOTE HEARINGS: BUT WHAT ABOUT “WITNESS DEMEANOUR”?
One of the issues that has been raised in objection to “remote” hearings is the question of witness demeanour. In modern litigation recent case law suggests that this is not a major factor in any event. “No doubt it…
REMOTE HEARING IN THE COURT OF PROTECTION: 17 PARTICIPANTS, 11 WITNESSES AND TWO JOURNALISTS: LESSONS TO BE LEARNT
I am grateful to Dr Penny Cooper for pointing out to me that the decision of Mr Justice Mostyn in A Clinical Commissioning Group v AF & Ors [2020] EWCOP 16 involved a hearing remotely. It contains an important comment…
THE FIRST VIRTUAL TRIAL IN THE COMMERCIAL COURT – READ ALL ABOUT IT
There is an interesting article by Stewarts about an ongoing trial in the commercial court that is continuing remotely. The trial of National Bank of Kazakhstan & Others v The Bank of New York Mellon & Ors is continuing remotely….
MORE USEFUL GUIDANCE ON BUNDLES AND VIRTUAL HEARINGS
Caselines has kindly sent me details of their very useful “COVID-19 Resource Hub” TOPICS COVERED Pandemics, Privacy, and Confidential Data Security: Managing Information Risk is Critical Video: Introduction to a CaseLines Bundle Quick Reference Guide: From Invite to…
REMOTE HELP FOR PUPILS (1): PUPILLAGE FORM/INTERVIEW CLINIC
This may be a good time to publicise those people or organisations offering help to pupil Barrister Joanna Hardy, @Joanna__Hardy, is running a remote pupillage form/interview clinic on the 3rd April. With the adding bonus that you may get to…
CIVIL LITIGATION AND COVID-19: GUIDANCE from 2TG
2TG have kindly sent me a link to their guidance “Civil Litigation in the time of Covid-19: Everything you need to know and consider”. The link is available here. (I have no difficulty in putting up guidance from any …
GUIDANCE IN DEVON AND CORNWALL: VACATION OF COURT HEARINGS AND RE-LISTING
The President of Plymouth Law Society has sent out the following guidance. COVID-19 – URGENT – CIVIL COURT HEARINGS TO BE VACATED – HHJ GORE QC Dear Member If you are a Civil Court user please read the notice below from…
INNOVATIVE APPROACH WHEN PROPOSED APPELLANT UNABLE TO ATTEND COURT
In [2020] EWHC 735 (QB) Mrs Justice Tipples took an innovative approach to the problems caused by a claimant’s inability to attend court because of the coronavirus problems. The submissions were made by email. THE CASE The judge was…
REMOTE HEARING – WENT AHEAD AND WORKED
In Jalla & Ors v Royal Dutch Shell Plc & Ors [2020] EWHC 738 (TCC) Mr Justice Stuart-Smith gave judgment in a hearing that was conducted remotely. This demonstrates that, with considerable effort, remote hearings can work in complex hearings….
Video: Creating and using electronic hearing bundles: St Philips Chambers
St Philips Chambers have kindly sent me a link to their video “Creating and using electronic hearing bundles” available here. The video explains how to create and use an electronic trial or hearing bundle using Adobe Acrobat Pro.
117th Practice Direction Update to the Civil Procedure Rules – Coronavirus Pandemic related.
New Practice Direction 51Z to Stay Possession Proceedings The Master of the Rolls and the Lord Chancellor have signed Practice Direction 51Z (PD) in relation to housing possession proceedings during the Coronavirus pandemic. It follows the Coronavirus Act 2020 emergency legislation and complements…
Contingency planning – courts and tribunals: Statement from the Lord Chief Justice and President of Tribunals
“Contingency planning – courts and tribunals 1. The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid spread of the virus around the country presents an unprecedented challenge to all those involved in the administration of justice. 2. It is vital to maintain a…
TWITTER SOURCED ADVICE: “LOW TECH” IDEAS FOR WORKING AT HOME
Again I have used the media of Twitter to get “low tech” advice for working at home. Your ironing board has more uses than one. Emma Bower (@EmmaMcBower) I’d say keeping a normal routine of getting up, washed, dressed and…
USEFUL LINKS: SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS (WELLBEING AND HEALTH)
Continuing with the series on useful links, here we look at links to help with health and wellbeing. MENTAL HEALTH SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity and has been around since 1923. They have a page dedicated…
Virtual Settlement Meetings and Mediations: (Mediation when living a Cloistered life…)
Cloisters Chambers has produced a video Virtual Settlement Meetings and Mediations, available here. THE VIDEO There is a simulated virtual mediation. This is explained by the Cloisters’ team that produced it. “The attached guide is a record of our evolving…
USEFUL LINKS: FINANCIAL HELP FOR INDIVIDUALS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Here we look at useful links for financial advice for individuals. MoneySavingExpert has a guide to financial help and rights during the coronavirus outbreak. This is said to be constantly updated and if you have a question that is not covered,…
USEFUL LINKS: SUPPORT FOR LAWYERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS (BECAUSE LAWYERS ARE PEOPLE TOO…)
The third in the series on useful links. Here we look at help and guidance for lawyers. GENERAL GUIDANCE The Law Society offers advice and updates on Coronavirus for the legal profession, including advice for: employers firm owners, managing partners and…
GUIDANCE IN CIVIL CASES FROM THE DCJ FOR NORTHUMBRIA AND DURHAM
HHJ Jeremy Freedman, DCJ for Northumbria and Durham, has given the following guidance for courts within that area. Note: (1) The extension of time for the parties to agree variation of the timetable to 90 days; (2) Electronic signatures will…
WORKING FROM HOME: USEFUL ADVICE: ERGONOMICS, PERIPHERALS AND MUCH MORE
I have a thread running on Twitter at the moment on “low-tech” advice about working from home. This will appear on this blog soon (and all I can say at present is that ironing boards are featuring a lot). I…
USEFUL LINKS: SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Continuing with the series on useful links, her are links to useful links for businesses. The British Chambers of Commerce has a Coronavirus Hub. This provides information based on official guidance from the UK government and it is amended as and…