Coronavirus: Public urged not to attend court even if they are due before judge

This evening the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, announced that members of the public should not attend court, on Thursday, even though their names may appear on court lists.

Instead, their cases will be adjourned without them needing to attend.

“Similar guidance has also been issued to the Law Society and the Bar Council,” read the statement.

In addition, from tomorrow any court business which does get underway,“will be consolidated in the following courthouses: the Royal Courts of Justice, Laganside Courts, Craigavon, Dungannon and Londonderry”.

However, the statement emphaised that “until further notice only urgent matters will be heard and these are likely to be undertaken remotely using live link, telephone, Sightlink, Zoom or BTMeetme etc”.

Further guidance indicated that the form of any “urgent matters” needing a hearing will be “determined by the relevant judge” .

Such matters, read the guidance, would “typically involve the immediate liberty, health, safety and wellbeing of individuals”.

In the case of ‘Criminal Proceedings’, they include: “First remands in the Magistrates’ Courts; Custody remands; Bail applications; PACE applications; Sentencing where delay may mean time on remand exceeds any likely, realistic custody period under the sentence”.

Civil court proceedings would deal with urgent applications of Habeas Corpus.

With regards to ‘Family Proceedings’, they will include: “Non-Molestation Orders; Applications under the Children (NI) Order 1995 such as Care Orders; Prohibited Steps Orders, Emergency Protection Orders and Secure Accommodation Orders; Declaratory judgments in patients’ cases; Child abduction”.