Dear All,

Please find below an email/advice I received today from the Magistrates’ Court [londonholo].

My reading of this email is that all custody duty solicitors would still be required to attend at court until a final go-ahead is given on remote working.

I hope this helps.

 

Dapo Olorunsola-Elias

Simon Bethel Solicitors

 

From: londonholo <londonholo@justice.gov.uk>
Sent: 07 April 2020 12:29
To: Dapo Olorunsola-Elias <Dapo.o@simonbethel.co.uk>
Subject: RE: DUTY SOLICITORS ATTENDANCE AT COURT - COVID 19

 

Good afternoon,

 

May I firstly apologise for the delay in replying to you. 

 

Re: bail duty solicitors, there is no need to attend court. 

 

Re: Custody Duty Solicitors, we are endeavouring to provide the ability for remote custody duty service. At present we are testing this at Croydon Magistrates’ Court with overnights from Brixton and Walworth Road Police stations. We are also hoping to start the process at Bromley Magistrates’ Court later on this week.

 

Kind regards,

 

Lizzie

 

Lizzie Lakehal

Business Support Manager to Stephen McAllister, Head of Legal Operations (Justices' Clerk)

 

London Region | City of London Magistrates’ Court | 1 Queen Victoria St | London | EC4N 4XY

Email: londonholo@justice.gov.uk

Website: gov.uk/hmcts

 

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From: Dapo Olorunsola-Elias [mailto:Dapo.o@simonbethel.co.uk]
Sent: 31 March 2020 10:59
To: londonholo <londonholo@justice.gov.uk>
Subject: DUTY SOLICITORS ATTENDANCE AT COURT - COVID 19

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I would be grateful for guidance/answers in respect of the following queries:

 

  1.  Bail Duty Solicitors: Is a bail duty solicitor still required to attend court in view of the fact that, no bail cases are being heard in court during this period of lockdown?
  2. Custody Duty Solicitors: Is there still a requirement to physically attend court? Can a custody duty solicitor provide their service remotely through video link during this period of lockdown?

We have a few duty slots coming up in the next couple of days and I would be grateful for your guidance in respect of the above.

 

Dapo Olorunsola-Elias

Simon Bethel Solicitors

 

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