Coronavirus bulletin, edition 1

Coronavirus bulletin, edition 1
Tuesday, 24 March 2020

• The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary published a new document, Remote Access Family Court, which outlines the problems faced by legal practitioners with the need to move to remote hearings. It also identifies a number of potential solutions to those problems and set outs protocols to govern that position.
• In these uncertain times, arrangements in nearly every aspect of life are rapidly changing. This includes living and contact arrangements for the children of separated parents. The latest government advice is that where parents live apart, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ home. Denise Findlay, a senior associate at Birketts, outlines some practical tips for separated parents to ensure that necessary changes are made.
• We’re working closely with the FLBA, Association of Lawyers for Children, LAPG and others to understand how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting the running of family courts. Please complete and share this short survey which will help us to build an accurate picture of what is happening across the country. This will help inform the judiciary and others in producing future guidance as we all adapt to new ways of working in the family justice system.
• The Ministry of Justice has given greater clarity of those working within the justice system who are considered key workers. Some practitioners will intermittently fall into this category for a limited time.
• Many more members will be working from home over the coming weeks and months. This guidance note from Angela Lake-Carroll outlines the use of video and other remote working technologies. The Litigants in Person Network has also pulled together a raft of information to help and support people who are new to working from home.