(AGENPARL) – ven 16 agosto 2024 HMCTS Update
Friday 16 August 2024
A weekly round-up of the latest news and information about courts and tribunals
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General
Finding Resolution: Inside the Small Claims Mediation Service [ https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/14/finding-resolution-inside-the-small-claims-mediation-service/?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
Our latest podcast episode explores the benefits of mediation in helping to resolve disputes without having to go to court.
David describes how mediation helped to resolve his dispute with a large company and another David, one of our new mediators, talks about the support available to everyone using the service.
Inside HMCTS podcast logo [ https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/14/finding-resolution-inside-the-small-claims-mediation-service/?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
National rollout of Professional User Access Scheme (PUAS) adapted security searches [ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-users-court-and-tribunal-access-scheme?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
We’re introducing a new, adapted security search for members of the Professional Users’ Access Scheme (PUAS). It will be rolled nationally over the next few weeks as court security officers are trained accordingly.
This is as a result of our continuous review of risk assessments and follows a successful trial at three early adopter sites in the London region. The updated Conditions of Entry include details of the adapted search, which has also been shared with representative bodies who have PUAS-registered members. We’ll also contact registered members locally as the adapted search is introduced. 
We’re grateful for PUAS members’ patience and understanding while the process is embedding and are confident this will ultimately enable smoother entrance to our buildings.? 
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Crime (new)
Updated stats on public disorder hearings [ https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/management-information-on-magistrates-court-activity?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
We’ve published this week’s management information on the number of defendants listed for first hearings in magistrates’ courts and their outcomes, following the recent public disorder.
We’ll continue to release this information weekly for a short period.
Creating welcoming spaces for witnesses [ https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/16/enhancing-witness-suites-transforming-court-spaces-for-better-access-to-justice/?utm_medium=email&utm_source= ]
Improvements to a number of witness suites are transforming our courts to provide welcoming and inclusive spaces. We know that entering a courtroom can be a daunting experience, especially for those appearing as complainants or witnesses.
Our latest Inside HMCTS blog outlines the work we’re doing in ten courts, for the comfort and safety of some of the most vulnerable people using them.
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Tribunals
Opening hours for our Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) telephone lines have changed.
They’ll now be available on weekdays between 9am and 4pm.
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