Friday 29 November 2024 A weekly round-up of the latest news and information about courts and tribunals | | Episode 9 of our podcast series is now live, highlighting our Head of Insightâs recent trip to Ottawa for the OECD Global Roundtable on Access to Justice.  Luc Altmann shares his experience of presenting our access to justice evaluation to a worldwide community and we hear contributions from the OECD and Chilean Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.   | | A pilot for Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO) launched this week at family, civil and criminal courts in Greater Manchester, three London boroughs and with the British Transport Police in these areas. DAPOs are a joint initiative between MoJ and the Home Office. Orders can be made by criminal, family and civil courts to provide lasting protection for victims of domestic abuse. The DAPO can be applied for by the police including the British Transport Police, following a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice, to secure longer term protection for victims. Applications can also be made by victims and third parties. The pilot will be extended to courts in Cleveland and North Wales in the new year. | | We want to make sure staff and people using our services have a safe and suitable environment to work in or visit. Weâve recently updated some of the guidance in our safeguarding policy, which explains our position on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. | | On 1 January 2025 solicitorsâ guideline hourly rates will be increased in line with Services Producer Price Inflation (SPPI). These guidelines will be updated with the new figures for carrying out a summary assessment of court costs, listed by pay band and grade for different parts of the country. | | An energy network which will power two courts in Bradford has been launched. Bradford Combined Court Centre and Magistratesâ Court will be connected to Bradford Energy Network, a heat pump-powered heating network. It will become one of the UKâs largest low-to-zero carbon district heating network when it starts generating heat in 2026. Joining the network supports our target to reduce our carbon footprint and our ambition to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. Replacing the fossil fuel gas boilers in the two courts will reduce carbon emissions by up to 75% and cut other forms of air pollution by up to 80%. | | Our Operations Director presented at the National Police Chiefsâ Council annual conference this week about the power of partnership in reforming the criminal justice system. Daniel Flury discussed current challenges, how HMCTS manages demand and resource, and how every part of the criminal justice system has a part to play in improving productivity.  | | We are reminding users of Barnet Civil and Family Court that the building will close on 29 November 2024 for an anticipated 10 months while works to improve the heating, cooling and ventilation systems is completed. During this time, hearings will take place at other courts across London. | | What did you think of this email? | | |