Court in Chichester to be set up to help relieve pressure amid coronavirus pandemic

A court at East Pallant House, Chichester, is one of the ‘Nightingale Courts’ announced by the Lord Chancellor to help alleviate pressure on courts.

The court, which closed at the end of 2018, is now expected to begin hearing an expanded list of cases next week.

The other 10 locations across the country are expected to be up and running in August.

Other places are being sought to help keep the wheels of justice turning.

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The courts will hear civil, family and tribunals work as well as non-custodial crime cases.

The move will free up room in existing courts to hear other cases, including custodial jury trials, which require cells and secure dock facilities to keep the public, victims and witnesses safe.

The move forms part of government plans to ensure courts recover from the coronavirus pandemic as soon as possible and to avoid any delays getting criminals behind bars.

The Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC MP, said: ‘Our action to keep the justice system running throughout the pandemic has been globally recognised, with these Nightingale Courts being the latest step in this effort.

‘They will help boost capacity across our courts and tribunals - reducing delays and delivering speedier justice for victims.

‘But we won’t stop there. Together with the judiciary, courts staff and legal sector, I am determined that we must pursue every available option to ensure our courts recover as quickly as possible.’

In March 2020, almost half of all courts were closed and jury trials were paused to minimise social interaction between court users.

Since then, court staff, legal professionals, and the judiciary have collaborated to prioritise cases and keep the justice system running throughout the lockdown – with up to 90 per cent of all hearings using remote technology during the pandemic.

A major £142m investment across the courts system has been announced to speed up technological improvements and modernise courtrooms.

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