(AGENPARL) – ven 20 dicembre 2024 In our final HMCTS Update of the year, we write about 2,000 extra sitting days, our festive opening times, our highlights podcast and more.
HMCTS Update
Friday 20 December 2024
A weekly round-up of the latest news and information about courts and tribunals
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Christmas
General
Lord Chancellor announces 2,000 extra sitting days [ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2000-extra-sitting-days-to-help-address-courts-crisis?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
The Lord Chancellor announced this week that the Crown Court can sit an additional 2,000 days this year, helping to address the outstanding caseload.
This latest addition will see the Crown Court sit for a total of 108,500 days this year – the highest figure in almost a decade.
Statue of Lady Justice
The last HMCTS Update of the year [ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service-information-bulletins?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
This week’s HMCTS Update will be the last of 2024 and we’ll resume as normal on 10 January 2025. In the meantime, we’d like to wish you all an enjoyable, restful festive period and a very happy 2025.
Christmas and New Year opening times [ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/christmas-and-new-year-courts-and-tribunals-opening-times-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
A reminder that over the coming weeks our courts and tribunals will close on various dates between 25 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 for Christmas and the new year.
Some magistrates’ courts will be open on 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 for remand hearings only.
HMCTS highlights podcast [ https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/2024/12/20/12-months-of-justice-the-hmcts-2024-review/?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
Join us for a special end-of-year review episode of  the Inside HMCTS Podcast, where we reflect on the justice highlights of 2024 across all jurisdictions.
From new systems and campaigns to the opening of additional courtrooms and significant events, we cover the progress and transformation within HMCTS.
Tune in to hear from our colleagues and special guests as we celebrate a year filled with achievements and challenges, and look forward to the opportunities of 2025.
Legal Problem and Resolution Survey 2023 [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legal-problem-and-resolution-survey-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) recently published findings from a quantative survey of adults’ experiences of legal problems in England and Wales
The reports outline the prevalence of civil, administrative and family legal problems, the characteristics of these problems and the people experiencing them, and the problem outcomes. 
Our Chair’s summary from our latest Strategic Engagement Group meeting held on 3 December 2024 with members of legal professional associations is now available.
Discussions included a demonstration on the civil case progression features, MoJ’s rape and serious sexual offences free sentencing remarks pilot and their vulnerability study as part of the Reform Programme evaluation.
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Family (new)
Medway County and Family Court reopening [ https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/medway-county-court-and-family-court?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
Medway County and Family Court is due to re-open on Monday 6 January following remedial work to address Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) at the site. 
The court, which is based at the local authority-owned Gun Wharf building, has been closed since RAAC was discovered in October 2023.?
In April 2024, four hearing rooms opened temporarily at the Orida Hotel in Maidstone to hear cases while Gun Wharf was closed. To support the reduction in outstanding cases, this venue will continue to hear civil work until its planned closure in March 2025.  
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