Date published: 24th March 2020

In light of recent developments, the courts have released some arrangements and temporary measures in order to limit contact between people.

This guidance has been released with reference to Liverpool and Chester County Court and other courts in the Cheshire and Merseyside cluster for Civil Work.

This guidance is likely to keep changing and evolving and we will keep you updated. The article is correct at time of writing (24th March 2020).

What has the Civil Judge said?

Judge Graham Wood QC, designated Civil Judge for Cheshire & Merseyside, confirmed on 21st March 2020 that ‘all our hearings, other than urgent cases and one or two exceptional categories, will be conducted remotely.’

However, there are a number of limitations preventing this from happening right away. There is work being done by the courts to allow this to become widespread, and the technical barriers are being worked out.

This means that there will be a number of measures being taken in the interim.

In the meantime…

What happens to ongoing court work?

While work is being done to allow all hearings to be conducted remotely, new procedures are in place for ongoing court work, which are expected to be followed from this week onwards.

In line with legislation from the government, all possession claims and evictions are postponed for at least three months.

If you are concerned about your landlord and your housing situation in the current climate, contact us and we might be able to help you.

Some hearings are postponed…

  • Small claims track hearings

The lists will be vacated until after 4th May, meaning that new dates will be sent out in due course.

  • Fast track and multi-track trials (including other open court face-to-face hearings such as injuctions and commitals)

These will be postponed for a minimum of 4 weeks’ time from 25th March 2020. Parties will be able to apply for the trial to be reinstated.

Cases with trials up until the 1st of June will be vacated. New dates will be sent out to all.

  • Oral examinations

These are vacated and new dates will be provided after 16th of June 2020.

Some hearings are done remotely…

  • Appeals

These will be heard remotely form 30th March. Arrangements are being made for full appeals processes to proceed remotely in straightforward cases.

  • Chambers lists and Costs and Case Management Conferences (CCMCs)

These will all proceed by remote hearing.

  • Stage 3 hearings

These are proposed to be held remotely, preferably by Skype.

… the list isn’t exhaustive

There are likely to be changes to this, and the list can’t account for all types of cases in civil court. We will keep updated with all changes.

Remember that, however different all of our daily routines look now, we are here for you. We are fighting for your rights.

We would like to let clients know that to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, our offices are now closed to visitors. During this unsettling and worrying time, in place of face-to-face meetings, we are offering telephone consultations and, where possible, video calls (such as Skype).

We believe that everyone has the right to be treated fairly, equally, and with dignity.

If you are faced with these problems, contact our specialist advisers on 0151 282 1700, ask for a callback at your convenience, or email us on enquiries@broudiejacksonlees.co.uk.