Update 19th March 2020
Burton Copeland are constantly monitoring the position to ensure that we continue to provide a full service to our clients including representation at court and the police stations.
Due to the reported confirmed cases of COVID 19 at a number of the prisons in our areas we are no longer able to conduct face to face visits with clients in custody but we will where possible ensure that our clients are seen via a video conferencing facility.
Other new or existing clients can arrange face to face appointments via Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp Video Calling etc.
Yesterday we were able to advise clients that the Courts were still operational to a degree. We have now received confirmation of the adjournment of some Crown Court trials. If you or a family member has a trial which has been identified by the Court as one to be adjourned, then the Fee Earner who has conduct of your case will contact you directly. Unless we notify you to the contrary you should at this time attend court unless of course you are ill, exhibiting symptoms or self-isolating in accordance with Government Guidance. If that is the case then you must contact us in order that we can advise the court of your condition.
Burton Copeland is open to clients and anyone requiring legal advice may contact us by telephone or through our webchat which can be found on our web site. All staff are contactable on the telephone and by email; please do not hesitate to contact us.
Update – 18th March 2020
Burton Copeland are continuing to monitor guidance which is being provided by a number of sources including COVID 19 government advice and the Ministry of Justice and will endeavour to keep our clients up dated.
We understand that Clients will be concerned about attending court, if they have appearances before either the magistrates court or the Crown Court.
At present the Magistrates’ Court is continuing to deal with all cases listed and we would advise clients that in accordance with current guidance, you should attend the court hearing.
Our dedicated Magistrates’ Team is at court to assist you. If you are unwell or are self-isolating in accordance with the guidance, then please contact the office us as soon as possible on 0161 827 9500 so that we can notify the court of your condition.
The Lord Chancellor has now provided some guidance for the trials which are currently listed at the Crown Courts.
Cases due to be heard from the summer and beyond will continue to be listed. Trials currently taking place will continue as far as they are able subject to the current guidance on individuals showing symptoms of COVID 19 and/or self-isolation. Cases listed in the near future which are scheduled to last more than three days will now be postponed. If you are unsure about whether your case will be postponed, please contact us on the number above.
At present we have not been provided with any definition of “beyond the summer” or “in the near future”.
At this time Plea and Trial Preparation Hearings and sentencing hearings appear to be proceeding as normal.
We will continue to up-date our website as further details are known.
17th March 2020
FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT ADVICE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, ALL BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE FACING SEVERE DISRUPTION. AT THE TIME OF WRITING BOTH THE MAGISTRATES & CROWN COURTS REMAIN OPEN AND THE POLICE ARE STILL INTERVIEWING SUSPECTS UNDER CAUTION. INDIVIDUALS WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE SUMMONS AND POSTAL REQUISITIONS REQUIRING THEM TO APPEAR IN COURT.
What is Burton Copeland doing?
Burton Copeland already had contingency plans in place and those have been activated in the last 24 hours. The company remains committed to advising and supporting clients throughout this difficult time. We have had to follow advice of government meaning that some of our staff are home rather than office based but the technology we have means that company remains very much open for business and all of our staff remain working for our clients and will attend court and police stations to advise and represent.
Our telephone lines, email and webchat enquiries remain open 24 hours a day allowing you to speak to a lawyer at your convenience.
In line with government advice on social distancing we will not offer appointments in person at the office. But we are able to offer face to face video appointments via a number of different platforms such as Skype, Facetime, WhatsApp Video Calling and can also offer conference calling for up to 6 users at a time to enable clients to continue to take part in conferences with barristers, legal advisors and experts etc.
In order to speak to one of our lawyers, please contact us immediately