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By Monidipa Fouzder2021-02-11T11:02:00+00:00
A defendant turned up to court to explain he had Covid symptoms because he could not get through to staff on the phone, a solicitor-advocate has told MPs to highlight the pressures arising from how the justice system is coping during the pandemic.
Giving evidence on court capacity to the Commons justice select committee on Tuesday, Hollie Collinge, of Brighton firm Kellys Solicitors, said: ‘I’ve noticed enormous uncertainty and anxiety about whether people should or shouldn’t be going to court. Often that’s something we only find out about at the very last minute or perhaps even on the day.
Two HMP Altcourse inmates smuggle blades into court before one slashes himself in the dock
In one day, two HMP Altcourse inmates managed to smuggle two blades into Liverpool Magistrates Court
Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Derby Square, Liverpool (Image: liverpoolecho)
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By Monidipa Fouzder2021-01-20T20:04:00+00:00
Lawyers and trade unions have joined forces to tell HM Courts & Tribunals Service boss Kevin Sadler to step up safety measures at court or face a ‘political, legal and industrial’ response.
The statement calling for action has been signed by the Criminal Bar Association, Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, Solicitors’ Association of Higher Courts Advocates, Public and Commercial Services Union, FDA (a union representing Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors), National Association of Probation Officers and Family Courts, and Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers.
The bodies call for an immediate review of safety arrangements across the court estate amid growing concerns that the buildings are not, as HMCTS has repeatedly claimed, ‘Covid secure’.