Coronavirus Centre Information

Important customer service announcements, updates and news affecting the court and tribunal listings service during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.

Selected information points and announcements from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) affecting our services and users will also be highlighted.

  • Last Updated: 30 July 2020

  • Help Desk

    Courtel Communications has implemented business continuity measures to maintain high levels of customer support and prevent service disruptions while keeping our employees safe.

    To help us maintain our usual highly responsive service, we prefer that you contact us by email rather than phone as this will allow the appropriate person in the team to contact you directly:


    Note: Please continue to telephone for urgent issues such as courts requiring a private court list or name to be removed from the public website.

  • Key MoJ, HMCTS & Judiciary Coronavirus Links

    Refer to the following information points for all the latest official updates, advice and guidance:


    The work of courts and tribunals was consolidated into fewer buildings at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. From 17 July 2020, most of the courts and tribunals buildings are now open in line with public health advice.

    The situation is subject to change so check with these links for the current status of each site:


  • Selected HMCTS and Judiciary Updates

    -- 22/05/2020 --

    Jury trials recommence at selected Crown Courts.

    Mr Justice Edis, chair of the Jury Trials Working Group, announced that jury trials successfully restarted this week at Manchester Minshull Street, Bristol, Cardiff and the Old Bailey. Further new trials have also been listed to start next week at Reading, Warwick and Winchester Crown courts.

    Read the full announcement.

    -- 27/03/2020 --

    HMCTS announce list of priority courts to remain open with effect Monday 30 March for duration of coronavirus pandemic.

    A core network of 157 court and tribunal buildings will remain open for essential physical hearings plus a further 124 available for telephone/video hearings. 89 sites will close for the duration of the pandemic.

    Included in the list of 89 suspended sites are 7 crown courts: Durham, Harrow, Inner London, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lincoln, Salisbury and York.


    The list is subject to change so check with the Court and Tribunal Finder for the current status of each site.

    -- 23/03/2020 --

    Lord Chief Justice announces review of court arrangements due to COVID-19.

    * New trials will be halted as of today in the Crown court until specific arrangements have been made to ensure buildings are safe.

    * No jury trials or other physical hearings can take place unless it is safe for them to do so.

    * Efforts to bring existing jury trials to a conclusion should continue, in line with social distancing guidelines.

    * Hearings not involving a jury should continue if arrangements can be made to ensure distancing.

    * In the civil and family courts, hearings requiring physical presence should only take place if a remote hearing is not possible and suitable arrangements can be made to ensure safety.

    Read the full announcement.

  • Selected Employment Tribunals Updates

    -- 19/03/2020 --

    Presidents of the Employment Tribunals announce that as from Monday 23 March 2020, all in-person hearings will be converted to a case management hearing by telephone/video.

    Read the full announcement.