New Guidance from the Lord Chief Justice’s Office

Updated guidance from the Lord Chief Justice’s office for the courts has been issued in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This replaces the guidance note issued on 12 May.

Court business continues to be consolidated at The Royal Courts of Justice, Laganside Courts, Lisburn, Dungannon and Londonderry Courthouses.

Key changes to note in the new guidance are:

• The Court of Appeal has commenced hearing contested cases in the Royal Courts of Justice.
• Administrative reviews of Crown Court cases for arraignment, plea and sentence have commenced to enable listing dates to be fixed.
• Administrative reviews of Family Care Centre cases have commenced.
• Administrative reviews of Family Proceedings Courts cases are being piloted in Ards and Lisburn.
• The pilot for the hearing of undefended divorce cases is being rolled out to the High Court and all County Courts.
• Additional business in the Magistrates’ Courts will be listed including custody and bail preliminary enquiries, pleas and sentencing where the parties agree the matter can proceed, and other preliminary issues.
• Arrangements are underway with the Public Prosecution Service for the issue of new summonses.
• Planning for the commencement of jury trials and contested cases is underway.

The full guidance can be viewed here. A summary of the updated OLCJ’s Business Recovery Plans can be found here.

Updated guidance and forms across all courts can be found on the Judiciary NI’s Covid-19 online hub