Covid-19: Update

As a result of the outbreak of Covid-19, court hearings have been drastically restricted. Limited Crown Court hearings are taking place, and only cases that are urgent - such as custody hearings - are being heard in the Magistrates Courts.

If you are already a client, Phil will be in contact with you concerning any future hearing.

If you are seeking basic advice concerning your motoring offence, Phil offers the following general advice:

1. If you have received a Notice of Intended prosecution and/or request to furnish information, the time limits imposed upon these documents will not be affected by the current lockdown, and these should be dealt with as if no change exists;

2. If you are wondering about the need to respond to a Single Justice procedure document, you should complete this in accordance with the  prescribed time limits. The Single Justice Hearing is, however, likely to be delayed meaning that it is unlikely that you will hear of the outcome to that hearing as soon as you otherwise would;

3. If you have a hearing scheduled, you should continue to check the HMCTS guidance as to whether the restrictions to court hearings have been lifted. Your motoring case, whilst important to you, is considered non-urgent court business and the court staff are adjourning cases administratively, although the final hearing date is often left blank.

4. The court administration is presently under intense pressure, with a number of staff working remotely, and so any query with the court centre is likely to be more difficult than usual.

Phil remains available to discuss your case, and offer initial advice, and of course once the restrictions are lifted will be available to attend at court. Until those restrictions are lifted, however, Phil will be unable to accept any new instructions.