28 April 2020
For The Urgent Attention Of All High Court Practitioners
Administrative Review Of Listed High Court Business
Members should refer to the updated Guidance issued by the Lord Chief Justice on Friday 24 April 2020 which can be accessed at https://judiciaryni.uk/sites/judiciary/files/media-files/Covid-19%20-%20Guidance%20for%20Courts%20-%2024.04.20.pdf
This Guidance contains inter alia arrangements for the High Court review of cases in the Family Division, the Chancery Division and those relating to Judicial Review and the Commercial Court. The names of the cases which are to be reviewed have now been furnished to the Society by the Office of the Lord Chief Justice with a request that we circulate same. Details are as follows:-
Family Cases
The judge will undertake an administrative review of High Court Family cases listed for hearing between 26 March and 8 May 2020. Representatives should complete and lodge form FCI1 by email with the Family Office in the RCJ by Friday 1 May 2020 (RCJChildrenoffice@courtsni.gov.uk). Where the judge determines a review hearing is required this will take place on Monday 11 May 2020. See list of cases below.
Chancery Cases
The judge will undertake an administrative review of the Chancery cases listed in week commencing 27 April and week commencing 4 May 2020. Representatives should complete and lodge form ChanCI1 by email with the Chancery Office (chanceryoffice@courtsni.gov.uk), RCJ by Monday 4 May 2020. Where the judge determines a review hearing is required this will take place on Monday 18 May 2020. See list of cases below.
Judicial Review Cases
The judge will undertake an administrative review of Judicial Review cases listed in week commencing 27 April and week commencing 4 May 2020. Representatives should complete and lodge form JRCI1 by email with the Judicial Review Office (judicialreviewoffice@courtsni.gov.uk) by Tuesday 5 May 2020. Where the judge determines a review hearing is required this will take place on Tuesday 19 May 2020. See list of cases below.
Commercial Court
The judge will undertake an administrative review of Commercial Court cases listed in week commencing 27 April and week commencing 4 May 2020. Representatives should complete and lodge form COMCI1 by email with the Commercial Office (Commerciallist@courtsni.gov.uk), by Wednesday 6 May 2020. Where the judge determines a review hearing is required this will take place on Thursday 21 May 2020. See list of cases below.
The various forms requiring completion can be accessed in the Forms Section of the Corona Virus page of the JudiciaryNI website – see https://judiciaryni.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
As it may be that the solicitor in a firm with carriage of one of the listed cases is unavailable given the difficulties presented by the current pandemic, partners and principals should ensure that the appropriate action required internally within your firm and externally with the legal representatives of other parties is urgently attended to.
With regard to Court Business, colleagues are advised to regularly monitor the Coronavirus section of the website of Judiciary NI and the Society's e-Newsletter - E-nformer.
Please note the judge will undertake an administrative review of QBD cases. Representatives will shortly be notified of the date for submission of forms. Cases listed in week commencing 27 April are being adjourned for four weeks.