Coronavirus: 'Business as usual' for those attending courts

Latest official guidance from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) says that during the current phase of the outbreak ‘the business of our courts and tribunals continues’.

Those due to attend court are being told that unless they have a confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection or ‘do not need to self-isolate in line with NHS advice’, they should continue to use courts and tribunals as usual.

The government advice, announced on Monday, applies to those attending jury service.

In a statement, the government said: ‘Jury service is one of the most important civic duties a citizen can undertake and is an essential part of the criminal justice system.

‘If you are serving on a jury now, your jury service will continue as normal and you are expected to attend court unless you have a reason not to (for example you have symptoms or need to self isolate).

‘If you’re due to do jury service in future, or if you have started your jury service already but have not yet been selected for a trial, we will keep in touch with you and let you know what’s expected.

‘We’re carefully following government advice and keeping the situation under constant review.’

The message was echoed by Portsmouth Combined Court Centre, with a spokesperson saying that following a meeting it was ‘business as usual’.

Meanwhile, barristers have warned that jury trials must be urgently halted to prevent a game of ‘Russian Roulette’ with people's health.

The Bar Council is urging the Ministry of Justice to stop jury trials ‘for the time being’, warning that around the country, there are reports of jurors being forced to drop out of cases due to self-isolating, or coming to court when they should have stayed away, putting the health of others at risk.

It comes as the most senior judge in England and Wales, Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett of Maldon issued a statement which warned that government guidance on responding to Covid-19 ‘will clearly have an impact’ on all courts.

There have already been reports of court business being affected by Covid-19, including instances of jurors being discharged or sent home.

And a number of lawyers and other court users have taken to social media to express concerns about the lack of a clear plan for those scheduled to attend trials and hearings.

In a statement, Amanda Pinto QC, chairwoman of the Bar Council, said: ‘We are calling for the Ministry of Justice to put an urgent halt to jury trials for the time being.

‘Barristers up and down the country are telling us that jurors are having to drop out of cases because they are self-isolating or, worse, coming to court when they should not, and thereby putting everyone's health at risk.

‘Being in a jury trial should not be a game of Russian Roulette with the participants' health.’