On 23rd March 2020, Boris Johnson announced measures with an intended purpose of limiting transmission of COVID-19 and of attempting to support the NHS during unprecedented times. The mantra ‘stay home, save lives’ has been repeated on just about every platform since that date. Whilst these measures are intended to assist the country in overcoming… Read more »
Prisons are one of the many areas that require specific attention during the COVID-19 crisis, for obvious reasons. A substantial number of prisoners in close quarters, combined with a large turnover in buildings with limited ventilation and often poor cleanliness is a melting pot for the spread of the virus. Over 60 prisons have so… Read more »
David Hoffman considers how to make best use of ADR in the current situation. (This article was written in April 2020 but many principles still apply) A great deal of litigation has suddenly hit serious uncertainty. Many hearings, and pretty much all trials, are being adjourned. This is causing a lot of litigants to want… Read more »
Following the announcements that, from 17 March 2020 no new jury trials lasting longer than three days would begin, and that from 23 March 2020 jury trials would be stopped altogether, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the criminal courts have ground to a halt. But for the last few weeks, the courts have been… Read more »
One of the many consequences of the Government’s COVID-19 strategy has been the closure of restaurants and bars which in turn has forced a number of restaurant businesses into administration. One of the businesses affected is Carluccio’s Limited (“Carluccio’s”). All of the restaurants operated by Carluccio’s have been closed since 16 March 2020, the date… Read more »
Members of the family finance team wish to remind solicitors and clients alike that we are still available as counsel to conduct private FDR hearings, a practice which is now encouraged by Mostyn J and one which appeared within Sir Andrew McFarlane’s Covid 19 guidance for the family courts. A private FDR hearing is a… Read more »
Chambers are very proud to be able to congratulate Kate Donohue and Anna White for their successful delivery, of our first remote seminar during lockdown on “Parental Alienation”. Rehana Begum, Head of the Family Department commented: “Personally I particularly enjoyed the interactive “chat element” which allowed for questions to be posted during the talk and then answered… Read more »
COVID-19 AND THE MANCHESTER CROWN COURTS – WEATHERING THE STORM MARCH 2020 On 24/3/20 all members of the Northern Circuit received an unprecedented directive: Do Not Go To Court. That message was replicated on all other circuits. It was without limit of time. Following overnight liaison with the Lord Chief Justice the representative bodies of… Read more »
In response to the current pandemic and the need to avoid the necessity for parties to attend court in person, a Temporary Insolvency Practice Direction (“TIPD”) has been drafted and came into force on 6 April 2020. John Vickery and Victoria Roberts discuss… Subject to any amendment or revocation in the meantime, the TIPD will… Read more »
In Promontoria v Hancock (2020) where Victoria Roberts acted on behalf of a defendant, HHJ Hodge QC (sitting as Judge of the High Court) decided whether a Pre Trial Review and three other applications could be determined in light of the recent practice direction (PD 51Z) issued as a result of the current pandemic. HHJ… Read more »
Lucy Coulson looks at the challenges practitioners face in preparing for video trials and practical steps that can be taken to maximise the effectiveness of any hearings. Litigation has entered a new era with courts up and down the country considering how best to proceed with trials that have all but come to a halt… Read more »