The default position for all hearings of less than half a day will be for them to take place remotely. Live hearings will be heard if there is a particular reason it would be more appropriate, and will be considered for the Chancery Division’s Applications Court, the Commercial Court and Technology and Construction Court’s Friday applications lists, and adjudication enforcement in the Technology and Construction Court.
For longer hearings and trials, the judge will decide on the facts of the case. Parties will be asked by the Listing Office to express a preference, with reasons, with the final decision always at the judge’s discretion.
Remote and hybrid hearings may cover a range of options, including proceedings where remote access is given to a single participant and everyone else is in court.
The default format for bundles will be electronic for the foreseeable future.