Portsmouth designated a 'priority court' under new measures - with attendees still due to appear

Portsmouth Combined Court Centre is part of a national network of courts that will remain open during the coronavirus pandemic to make sure justice continues.

Under the new measures, which came into effect on Monday, courts and tribunals will be consolidated into fewer buildings to maintain public health safety amid the national lockdown.

There are 157 priority court and tribunal buildings open for essential face-to-face hearings - representing just 42 per cent of the 370 crown, magistrates, county and family courts and tribunals across England and Wales.

‘The temporary changes, designed in partnership between HM Courts and Tribunals Service and the judiciary will help maintain a core justice system focused on the most essential cases,’ a Ministry of Justice statement said.

Social distancing measures apply for all court users during the clampdown.

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland said: ‘We are facing an unprecedented challenge and the government’s absolute priority is to save lives and protect the NHS.

‘With each part of our justice system - from police to probation - dependent on one another, it is vital that we keep our courts running.

‘This will only be done while ensuring the safety of the public, judges, legal professionals, staff and all those attending hearings and I’d like to thank everyone for their extraordinary efforts so far.’

The Lord Chief Justice said: ‘An extraordinary amount of hard work has gone into keeping our justice system functioning. Technology is being used creatively to ensure that many cases can continue. Not everything can be dealt with remotely and so we need to maintain functioning courts.

‘These temporary adjustments to how we use the court estate will help ensure that we can continue to deal with work appropriately in all jurisdictions whilst safeguarding the well-being of all those who work in and visit the courts.’

A government statement confirmed Portsmouth courts ‘will remain open for face to face hearings’.

Advice to those due to be attending court, added: ‘If you have a case scheduled at this site, please attend unless you are showing symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and are self-isolating at home, or are self-isolating as you live or have been in contact with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus.’

Under the new measures 124 court and tribunal buildings will remain closed to the public but open to staff, the judiciary and those from other agencies.

These ‘staffed courts’ will support video and telephone hearings, progress cases without hearings and ensure continued access to justice.

All remaining courts and tribunals will close temporarily with the measures reviewed regularly.

Amanda Pinto QC, chair of the Bar, said following the new measures: ‘It makes sense to consolidate our constrained resources to keep the justice system on track. We hope that keeping fewer court buildings open will ensure essential work can continue without risking the health of those attending court.’

Media and the public will be able to attend priority court hearings in person if safe to do so.

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