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General

Vulnerability Action Plan update

We’ve updated our Vulnerability Action Plan, which outlines how courts and tribunals are changing and improving to support vulnerable people to access the justice system. We last updated and published the plan in October 2022 and as before, it includes our work to design future accessible services as part of the reform programme.

Improving accessibility at the Royal Courts of Justice

Read how colleagues at the Royal Courts of Justice Group have been working to improve access to justice for users with accessibility needs.

United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

We spoke at the annual United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) session in Vienna. HMCTS representatives discussed video hearings and video evidence, focusing on how they're helping to support court users, victims and witnesses.

Reminder: Scam phone calls

Scammers are making fraudulent calls claiming to be high court enforcement officers. 

Reminder: Helping people to navigate the justice system and access the support they need

We've created a signposting strategy to help all court and tribunal users navigate the justice system and access the support they need.

Reminder: Thousands more can apply to become judges under plans to expand diversity

New rules will see up to 4,500 more lawyers from diverse backgrounds eligible to become judges under plans announced by the government. 

Crime

Common Platform

New helpdesk phone number

If you’re having problems signing into Common Platform, or if you experience technical issues, there’s a new phone number for the helpdesk: 0203 989 6060. Please save this in your contacts.

You can also email CJSCP-DefenceServiceDesk@hmcts.net - we aim to respond within 5 working days.

If you need help accessing case details, email our service centre at professionalcontactcrime@justice.gov.uk or call 0330 808 4407.

If your account has been deregistered, please speak to your organisation administrator.

London criminal courts

The Common Platform case management system is now in use in these London courts:

• Bexley Magistrates’ Court 
• Bromley Magistrates’ Court 
• Croydon Crown Court 
• Croydon Magistrates’ Court 
• Inner London Crown Court 
• Woolwich Crown Court 

Get help with using Common Platform

Defence solicitors and barristers can join one of our regular online support sessions to get help with:

• accessing case details
• using the new PET and BCM forms
• any other aspect of Common Platform

Sessions take place on 📅 Tuesdays at 🕐 4:30pm and 📅 Thursdays at 🕐 9am.

For details on using Common Platform, watch our videos on how to use Common Platform and account registration and security. You can also read our how-to guides. 

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