JUSTICE is returning to more law centres in the region as HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) attempts to move closer to normal sitting patterns.

A limited number of hearings have taken place at key centres since the coronavirus outbreak took hold, including Newcastle and Teesside crown courts, initially only dealing with defendants in custody via video link.

In recent weeks some bailed defendants have attended in a small number of cases, usually for sentence, while a handful of larger courts round the country have attempted to stage jury trials.

Sittings at many smaller court centres have been suspended since late March, and a huge backlog of cases has built up within the system.

Following individual safety assessments more courts can now reopen, with up to seven in the North-East and North Yorkshire given the green light, as and when they are in a position to resume sitting from this week.

They are Durham Crown Court, the Moot Hall, in Newcastle, Gateshead Law Courts, Scarborough Justice Centre, plus civil and family courts, and the tribunals service, in Sunderland and Newcastle, and York Magistrates and Family Court.

The HMCTS said: “Each building that reopens has been individually assessed and will strictly follow public health guidance to ensure the protection and safety of all court users.”

Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, said: “Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, court staff and the judiciary have worked tirelessly to make sure justice has not stood still and I’m pleased that we are now in a position to reopen more of our buildings.

“A functioning justice system is one of the hallmarks of a healthy democracy and today’s update will give confidence to people up and down the country that justice can continue to be done in a way that is safe for all court users.”

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Burnett of Maldon, said: “This is a very welcome step towards reopening all our court buildings.

“A remarkable volume of work has continued throughout the lockdown, much of it being conducted by judges from home.

“Reopening all of the court estate, using additional accommodation and continuing to use technology imaginatively will enable us to return to and surpass pre-lockdown volumes, helping manage the growing caseload.”

Durham Crown Court will be initially limited to video link cases, from tomorrow, with the aim of having as few people attending the building, off Old Elvet, as possible.

As has been the case in other court centres, since the pandemic struck, prosecution and defence counsel will appear remotely, by either Skype or the Cloud Video Platform system.

While the city court has remained closed since the end of March, one of two court rooms at Newcastle have heard Durham cases.