Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Court Estate

Tuesday 2 February 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • HM Courts and Tribunals Service invested 0.25 billion to make courts covid-safe, including plexiglass screens, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning.
  • Video remand hearings have been recommenced and used more now than in December, according to Public Health England.
  • The number of covid cases among HMCTS staff is in line with the general population and declining, as reported by Public Health England.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The question is prompted by concerns over the adequacy of measures taken to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 infections within the court estate.

Question

What assessment has been made of the steps taken by HM Courts and Tribunals Service to mitigate the risks of covid-19 infection on the court estate?

Answer from Chris Philp

We have invested £0.25 billion this year to make our courts covid-safe, including plexiglass screens, nightingale courts, social distancing, and an enhanced cleaning regime. We work closely with Public Health England to ensure that our courts are safe.

Answered
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Q2 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

Solicitors in Lloyd Russell-Moyle's constituency have expressed fear about attending courts due to inadequate safety provisions, leading to a backlog of cases. They request the resumption of video remand hearings.

Question

Solicitors in my constituency are frightened to attend court due to lack of safety provisions and some have refused new cases, resulting in backlogs. Solicitors ask for the Court Service to resume video remand hearings similar to those during the first lockdown peak.

Answer from Chris Philp

Video remand hearings have been recommenced and used more now than in December. Public Health England says our court estate is safe, with incidents of covid among HMCTS staff no higher or lower than the general population.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer partially addresses safety concerns but does not commit to resuming video remand hearings specifically requested by solicitors.

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Q3 Alex Cunningham Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The court backlog has increased by 35% since the start of the pandemic, now including over 53,000 Crown Court cases. There are concerns about health risks for lawyers due to insufficient safety measures.

Question

Labour Members are concerned that the huge court backlog has increased by 35%, and now includes more than 53,000 Crown Court cases. Lawyers want to keep the justice system open but do not want their health at risk. Given hundreds of reported covid cases across the court estate, what new measures will be taken to ensure all courts operate best practice and provide safety guarantees?

Answer from Chris Philp

We have invested £0.25 billion this year to make our court estate covid-safe, including best practice adoption and remote hearings where possible. Public Health England reports that the number of covid cases among HMCTS staff is in line with the general population and declining.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer provides safety measures but does not address new specific measures to ensure all courts operate best practice as requested.

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