HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) said this week the suspension was due to ‘some national security concerns’. It has written to more than 820 mental health hearing venues, asking for confirmation the rooms used comply with minimum safety and security requirements. Venues will be listed as ‘video hearing only’ from this week unless they have confirmed they are safe. HMCTS will regularly update the list once safety and security standards have been met at individual venues.
Practitioners whose clients cannot have a video hearing due to a medical or other reason should apply for the matter to be referred to a district tribunal judge for listing directions. In venues that are compliant, patients can continue to choose between face-to-face and video hearings.
In December, a judge at Milton Keynes County Court needed hospital treatment after an attack by a litigant in person at a closed family hearing.
