HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 11 October 2021

Next week's update will be issued on Friday 15 October 2021.

• Updated: Registration for our 5th annual Public User Event is now open. The event will take place virtually on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 November 2021.
• Updated: We announced a new 5-year environmental sustainability strategy on measures to help cut carbon emissions, improve sustainability and make HMCTS more environmentally friendly.
• York Hilton Nightingale court has now closed, which provided one additional courtroom for family work. We are extending 32 Crown Nightingale courtrooms to the end of March 2022. See the full list of Nightingale courts and additional courtrooms currently open.
• Reminder: You should continue to follow the relevant self-isolation rules which changed in August 2021 for England, Wales and Scotland.
• Reminder: All professional courts and tribunals users should continue to wear face coverings whilst attending our buildings.
• Reminder: We've added more detail to our COVID-19 guidance on GOV.UK when coming to our buildings. This does not change our current advice, but reminds you not to come to a court or tribunal if you've been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, and you're not fully vaccinated. 
• Reminder: We actively encourage our staff and all court and tribunal users to continue with twice-weekly asymptomatic rapid testing regardless of their vaccination status. We also encourage individuals to take a free, rapid lateral flow COVID-19 test before coming to a court or tribunal. These are free and readily available in your local area, or to order online. Anyone who tests positive should self-isolate and follow the latest NHS advice.

Crime

• Reminder: The latest news on progress and developments on national rollout of Common Platform was discussed at a recent webinar for defence professionals.
• Reminder: Any adjustments to the roll out schedule for Common Platform are always communicated directly to those affected. All sites currently operating with Common Platform will continue to do so irrespective of any such adjustments.

Civil

• A new feature is being rolled out to the online civil money claims (OCMC) system, which allows judges to draw direction orders digitally. Judge draws directions order (JDDO) allows judges to draw digital directions orders via OCMC for cases that are valued between £300.01 and £10,000. The feature has now been rolled out across all regions in England and Wales, after going live in the North West on Wednesday 29 September 2021.

Judicial guidance and announcements

• For the latest practice directions, advice, and guidance please visit the Judicial Office website.