The criminal justice system has been under pressure for some time, but with early preparation and the increased use of video technology, our resilient court system kept justice moving, even in the most challenging circumstances.
More convenient, simpler and less-resource heavy – the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) has many advantages for defendants who wish to plead guilty to minor offences and those processing their case. But some have criticised the process. Here Sian Jones, HMCTS Head of Legal and Professional Services, addresses some common misconceptions.
535,000 cases were heard by magistrates via the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) in 2020. It's an accessible, proportionate, effective and more efficient way – for both the defendant and the courts – to hear less serious cases that will not …
Coming to court can be a daunting experience for anyone, but it can be an even bigger challenge for the most vulnerable in our society, especially during the exceptional circumstances we’ve experienced through COVID-19. Our Vulnerability Action Plan details the measures we’ve taken during COVID-19 and what we’ll be doing in the future.
The Manchester super courtroom – which opened its doors at the Crown Court last month – got underway with its first large trial last week, as HMCTS passed another significant milestone in recovering our ability to hear ‘multi-hander’ trials.
[English] - [Cymraeg] The headlines on climate change are alarming. Environmental experts tell us that the world is getting warmer with more extreme heatwaves, droughts and flooding likely to occur. In August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a …
Fitting together all the pieces when hearing a murder trial is always challenging for the Crown Court. Add in multiple defendants and the impact of essential safety measures, and the picture becomes even more complicated. Laura Connor outlines helped hear a complex trial in this blog.
Head of Corporate Relations, Caroline Olaiya, takes time to reflect on how HMCTS has built productive relationships with stakeholders over the course of the pandemic.
Jasmine Norton highlights how HMCTS prepared for the implementation of new orders being piloted in London from July 2021 and looks at the context of the work within a wider policy perspective.
Ventilation is not something people usually pay much attention to, but since the pandemic we're all more aware of the air we breathe and how clean it is. Now, how we keep air fresh in courts and tribunals is on …
When someone close to us dies, applying for probate can be a daunting prospect at a difficult time and we know that a bad experience can add to an already stressful and sensitive situation. Since October 2019 over 60,000 applications …
