Guidance

Court and tribunal design guide

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has published a new court and tribunal design guide.

Documents

Court and tribunal design guide

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Details

The design guide provides the standards for refurbishment and redevelopment of existing and future court and tribunal buildings and facilities within our estate. It enables optimum use of facilities to improve user experience. Along with the key elements of safety and security, it sets out five principles that must be incorporated into any building design. These principles define that court and tribunal buildings must be appropriate, effective, accessible, flexible and sustainable.

The design guide was developed through extensive engagement with all types of users of court and tribunal buildings to ensure standards and designs meet their needs. The design guide will be used by us on current and future building and refurbishment work undertaken across the court and tribunal estate. As lessons are learned and our reform initiatives develop, the design guide will be updated and future versions will be published.

To request a printable version, or send us your feedback on the design guide, please email: courtandtribunaldesignguide@justice.gov.uk.

Published 10 May 2019
Last updated 19 April 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added updated Court and tribunal design guide.

  2. Printable version of design guide added.

  3. First published.