Guidance

HMCTS weekly operational summary

A weekly summary of the latest HM Courts and Tribunals Service operational position for users. We aim to update this every Friday at 4pm.

• From: HM Courts & Tribunals Service
• Published: 21 May 2021
• Last updated: 26 May 2023 — See all updates

We email our ‘HMCTS Update’ to our subscribers on Sunday evenings. Subscribe to receive our email alerts. 

Follow us on Twitter to check for daily or urgent updates.

HMCTS operational summary for week commencing Monday 29 May 2023

The next weekly operational summary will be issued on Friday 2 June 2023.

General

• Update: We’ve updated our Vulnerability Action Plan, which outlines how courts and tribunals are changing and improving to support vulnerable people to access the justice system. Read the updated plan.

• Update: Find out how colleagues at the Royal Courts of Justice Group have been working to improve access to justice for users with accessibility needs.

• Update: We spoke at the annual United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) session in Vienna. HMCTS representatives discussed video hearings and video evidence, focusing on how they’re helping to support court users, victims and witnesses.

• Reminder: Scammers are making fraudulent calls claiming to be high court enforcement officers. Learn what to do if you’re suspicious about a call.

• Reminder: We’ve created a signposting strategy to help court and tribunal users navigate the justice system and access the support they need. Read about the strategy.

• Reminder: Thousands more can apply to become judges under plans to expand diversity in the judiciary. New rules will see up to 4,500 more lawyers from diverse backgrounds eligible to become judges under plans announced by the government.

Crime

Common Platform

• Update: If you’re having problems signing into Common Platform, or if you experience technical issues, there’s a new phone number for the helpdesk: 0203 989 6060. Please save this in your contacts. You can also email CJSCP-DefenceServiceDesk@hmcts.net - we aim to respond within 5 working days. If you need help accessing case details, email our service centre or call 0330 808 4407. If your account has been deregistered, please speak to your organisation administrator.

• Update: The Common Platform case management system is now in use in these London courts: Bexley Magistrates’ Court, Bromley Magistrates’ Court, Croydon Crown Court, Croydon Magistrates’ Court, Inner London Crown Court and Woolwich Crown Court. Find out when the next courts are going live with Common Platform.

• Reminder: Defence solicitors and barristers can join one of our regular online support sessions to get help with accessing case details, using the new PET and BCM forms, and any other aspect of Common Platform. Sessions take place on Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Thursdays at 9am. Book a drop-in session. For details on using Common Platform, watch our videos on how to use Common Platform and account registration and security. You can also read our how-to guides.

Judicial guidance and announcements

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

Previous editions

• HMCTS Update - 22 May 2023
• HMCTS Update - 15 May 2023
• HMCTS Update - 8 May 2023
• HMCTS Update - 24 April 2023
• HMCTS Update - 17 April 2023
• HMCTS Update - 10 April 2023
• HMCTS Update - 3 April 2023
• HMCTS Update - 27 March 2023
• HMCTS Update - 20 March 2023
• HMCTS Update - 13 March 2023
• HMCTS Update - 6 March 2023
• HMCTS Update - 27 February 2023
• HMCTS Update - 20 February 2023

Published 21 May 2021
Last updated 26 May 2023 + show all updates

1. 26 May 2023

   Updated for week beginning Monday 29 May 2023.

2. 19 May 2023

   Updated for week beginning Monday 22 May 2023.

3. 12 May 2023

   Updated for week beginning Monday 15 May 2023.

4. 28 April 2023

   Updated for week beginning Monday 1 May 2023.

5. 21 April 2023

   Updated for week commencing Monday 24 April 2023

6. 14 April 2023

   Updated for week beginning 17 April 2023.

7. 6 April 2023

   Updated for week commencing Monday 10 April 2023.

8. 2 April 2023

   Updated for week beginning Monday 3 April 2023.

9. 24 March 2023

   Updated for week commencing Monday 27 March 2023

10. 17 March 2023

    Updated for week beginning 20 March 2023.

11. 10 March 2023

    Updated for week beginning Monday 13 March 2023.

12. 3 March 2023

    Updated for week commencing Monday 6 March 2023.

13. 24 February 2023

    HMCTS Update week commencing 27 Feb 2023 added.

14. 17 February 2023

    Updated for week beginning 20 February 2023.

15. 10 February 2023

    Updated for week beginning Monday 13 February 2023.

16. 3 February 2023

    Updated for week beginning 6 February 2023.

17. 27 January 2023

    Update for week commencing Monday 30 January published.

18. 20 January 2023

    Update for week commencing Monday 23 January published.

19. 13 January 2023

    Update for week commencing Monday 16 January 2023 published.

20. 6 January 2023

    Update for week commencing Monday 9 January 2023 published.

21. 30 December 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 2 January 2023 published.

22. 21 December 2022

    Added translation

23. 16 December 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 19 December 2022 published.

24. 9 December 2022

    Updated for week beginning 12 December 2022.

25. 2 December 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 5 December 2022 published.

26. 25 November 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 28 November 2022 published.

27. 23 November 2022

    Added translation

28. 18 November 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 21 November 2022 published.

29. 11 November 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 14 November published.

30. 4 November 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 7 November published.

31. 2 November 2022

    Added translation

32. 28 October 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 31 October 2022 published.

33. 28 October 2022

    Added translation

34. 28 October 2022

    Added translation

35. 21 October 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 24 October published.

36. 14 October 2022

    Updated for week commencing 17 October.

37. 13 October 2022

    Added translation

38. 7 October 2022

    Updated for week commencing Monday 10 October 2022.

39. 30 September 2022

    Updated for week commencing Monday 3 October 2022.

40. 23 September 2022

    Updated for week commencing Monday 26 September 2022.

41. 6 September 2022

    Added translation

42. 2 September 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 5 September 2022 published.

43. 26 August 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 29 August 2022 published.

44. 19 August 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 22 August 2022 published.

45. 12 August 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 15 August 2022 published.

46. 9 August 2022

    Added translation

47. 5 August 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 8 August 2022 published.

48. 29 July 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 1 August 2022 published.

49. 22 July 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 25 July 2022 published.

50. 15 July 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 18 July 2022 published.

51. 12 July 2022

    Added translation

52. 8 July 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 11 July 2022 published.

53. 1 July 2022

    Updated for week commencing Monday 4 July.

54. 24 June 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 27 June 2022 published.

55. 22 June 2022

    Operational update on bar action added.

56. 17 June 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 20 June 2022 published.

57. 10 June 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 13 June 2022.

58. 1 June 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 6 June 2022 published.

59. 27 May 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 30 May 2022 published.

60. 20 May 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 23 May 2022 published.

61. 20 May 2022

    Added translation

62. 13 May 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 16 May 2022 published.

63. 6 May 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 9 May 2022 published.

64. 29 April 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 2 May 2022.

65. 25 April 2022

    Added translation

66. 22 April 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 25 April 2022 published.

67. 20 April 2022

    Added translation

68. 14 April 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 18 April 2022 published.

69. 8 April 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 11 April 2022 published.

70. 6 April 2022

    Added translation

71. 1 April 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 4 April 2022 published.

72. 30 March 2022

    Added translation

73. 25 March 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 28 March 2022 published.

74. 23 March 2022

    Added translation

75. 22 March 2022

    Update on Common Platform added.

76. 18 March 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 21 March 2022 published.

77. 16 March 2022

    Added translation

78. 11 March 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 14 March 2022 published.

79. 10 March 2022

    Added translation

80. 8 March 2022

    Added translation

81. 4 March 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 7 March 2022 published.

82. 1 March 2022

    Added translation

83. 25 February 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 28 February 2022 published.

84. 24 February 2022

    Added translation

85. 18 February 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 21 February 2022 published.

86. 15 February 2022

    Added translation

87. 11 February 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 14 February 2022 published.

88. 10 February 2022

    Added translation

89. 4 February 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 7 February 2022 published.

90. 28 January 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 31 January 2022 published.

91. 25 January 2022

    Added translation

92. 21 January 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 24 January 2022 published.

93. 18 January 2022

    Added translation

94. 14 January 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 17 January 2022 published.

95. 7 January 2022

    Update for week commencing Monday 10 January 2022 published.

96. 5 January 2022

    Added translation

97. 31 December 2021

    Update for week commencing Monday 3 January 2022 published.

98. 17 December 2021

    Update for week commencing Monday 20 December 2021 published.

99. 16 December 2021

    Added translation

100. 10 December 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 13 December 2021 published.

101. 3 December 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 6 December 2021 published.

102. 2 December 2021

     Added translation

103. 26 November 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 29 November published.

104. 22 November 2021

     Added translation

105. 19 November 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 22 November 2021 published.

106. 16 November 2021

     Added translation

107. 12 November 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 15 November published.

108. 5 November 2021

     Page updated with changes to HMCTS operations for week commencing 8 Nov 2021.

109. 29 October 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 1 November 2021 published.

110. 26 October 2021

     Added translation

111. 22 October 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 25 October published.

112. 19 October 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 18 October 2021 published.

113. 13 October 2021

     Added translation

114. 8 October 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 11 October 2021 published.

115. 1 October 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 4 October 2021 published.

116. 29 September 2021

     Added translation

117. 24 September 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 27 September published.

118. 21 September 2021

     Added translation

119. 17 September 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 20 September 2021 published.

120. 16 September 2021

     Added translation

121. 10 September 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 13 September published.

122. 3 September 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 6 September 2021 published.

123. 1 September 2021

     Added translation

124. 27 August 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 30 August 2021 published.

125. 24 August 2021

     Added translation

126. 20 August 2021

     Updated for week commencing Monday 23 August 2021.

127. 18 August 2021

     Welsh translation added.

128. 13 August 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 16 August 2021 published.

129. 10 August 2021

     Added translation

130. 6 August 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 9 August 2021 published.

131. 4 August 2021

     Added translation

132. 30 July 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 2 August 2021 published.

133. 27 July 2021

     Added translation

134. 23 July 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 26 July 2021 published.

135. 20 July 2021

     Added translation

136. 19 July 2021

     Updated COVID guidance pages added.

137. 16 July 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 19 July 2021 published.

138. 13 July 2021

     Added translation

139. 9 July 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 12 July published.

140. 6 July 2021

     Added translation

141. 2 July 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 5 July 2021.

142. 28 June 2021

     Added translation

143. 25 June 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 28 June 2021 published.

144. 22 June 2021

     Added translation

145. 18 June 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 21 June 2021 published.

146. 14 June 2021

     Added translation

147. 11 June 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 14 June 2021 published.

148. 8 June 2021

     Added translation

149. 4 June 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 7 June 2021 published.

150. 28 May 2021

     Update for week commencing Monday 31 May 2021 published.

151. 26 May 2021

     Added translation

152. 25 May 2021

     Added line on operational status of courts in areas where COVID19 variant is spreading.

153. 21 May 2021

     First published.