THE RULE COMMITTEE: ACTING WITH THE SPEED OF A TORTOISE WITH A WOODEN LEG (AND THAT MAY BE UNFAIR ON THREE-LEGGED TORTOISES).
At a time when we have had major pieces of legislation introduced at remarkable speed the Rule Committee has, thus far, managed nothing. I am asked what response I got to the “Open Letter” to the Rule Committee about the…
CORONAVIRUS, COURT HEARINGS (WITH NO ONE PRESENT) AND SOCIAL MEDIA: ALL IN ONE CASE
The judgment today of HHJ Worster (sitting as a High Court Judge) in Wolverhampton City Council & Ors v Persons Unknown [2020] EWHC 759 (QB) was given after the claimant did not attend the hearing because of the coronavirus crisis….
COURT FUNDS OFFICE WILL NOW ACCEPT ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS BY BACS DIRECT CREDIT.
I have had a tweet from John de Bono QC stating that the Courts Funds Office will now accept electronic payment by BACS Direct Credit. “Breaking news. I understand Court Funds Office will now accept electronic payments by BACS Direct…
REMOTE HEARINGS (1): HOW ARE THE COURTS COPING? TWO CASES TODAY
I hope to keep a running record of how the courts are coping with remote hearings. Two cases reported today provide examples. Telephone used in committal proceedings In Anwer v Central Bridging Loans Ltd [2020] EWHC 765 (Ch) Mr Justice…
ADMINISTRATIVE COURT OFFICE NOTICES AND CORONAVIRUS ARRANGEMENTS: USEFUL LINKS ON ILPA WEBSITE
The Administrative Court has issued a number of notices relating to their Covid-19 arrangements. THE NOTICES These are not yet on the court website. However they are available from the ILPA website – available here.
WEBINAR ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS 31st MARCH 2020: NOW WITH SPECIAL CORONAVIRUS SECTION
The long-planned webinar tomorrow on Social Media and the Personal Injury Lawyer is still going ahead *. This will now include a lengthy session on useful social media links and helpful sites for lawyers during the coronavirus crisis. THE…
HMCTS operational summary 30 March 2020: USEFUL GUIDANCE AND LINKS
The communications team at HMCTS are putting in a shift. Their operational summary for today was out at 7.35 am this morning. There are a number of useful links. THE SUMMARY We’re consolidating the work of courts and tribunals…
Priority courts and tribunals start from Monday 30 March 2020
The Government has sent out a press release stating that some courts remain open. (To see the courts click on the Courts and Tribunals Track Checker at the bottom of the release). “Network of priority courts will remain open during…
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…
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…