Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: Courts scale back work

Urgent injunctions and urgent judicial reviews will also still be heard
Urgent injunctions and urgent judicial reviews will also still be heard Urgent injunctions and urgent judicial reviews will also still be heard

LAWYERS will appear in court without their clients from today as the Lord Chief Justice increases social distancing efforts to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

Sir Declan Morgan has instructed "judges should not require the attendance at court of persons who do not need to be there, or who express individual concerns".

This includes people who have lawyers acting on their behalf - even if they have been attending court until now in ongoing cases - with individuals advised to "contact their legal representatives" for guidance.

There will be an increase in applications for proceedings to be adjourned to be dealt with "in writing or by email" instead of court appearance and family case orders to be "continued on consent without requiring the parties to attend".

There is also an increase in court business by video link, skype or telephone conference, with judges prioritising "proceedings which typically involve the immediate liberty, health, safety and wellbeing of individuals" such as first remands in the magistrates' courts (charge sheets), bail applications and sentencing "where delay may mean time on remand exceeds any likely/realistic custody period".

Also prioritised will be non-molestation orders, child care orders, emergency protection orders and secure accommodation orders and child abduction.

Urgent injunctions and urgent judicial reviews will also still be heard.

No new jury trials will begin and those currently serving as jurors have been asked to alert the court if they they are experiencing possible symptoms of Covid-19.