Camilla Lees, Project Manager for the Professional Users’ Access Scheme provides an update on the scheme and how it’s supporting recovery efforts in our courts and tribunals.
Last year presented personal and professional challenges for most of us. In the workplace, those working in courts and tribunals faced unprecedented pressures in a Herculean effort to keep the justice system running, protecting the most vulnerable.
With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the safety of all court users remained our primary concern. We introduced a range of enhanced health and safety measures which enabled staff and professional court users to continue, or return, to work in our buildings with confidence.
As part of this, we took steps to ensure that full security searches could still be carried out –critical to the security and safety of everyone who attends our courts and tribunals – but in a way that is as safe as possible and meets public health guidance.
Social distancing is, of course, an integral part of minimising the risk of transmission of the coronavirus and we quickly recognised that the Professional Users’ Access Scheme, which we had begun rolling out some time before the start of the pandemic, could provide a useful queue management tool at many of our buildings.
Progressing the scheme
As we move into a new year, I want to provide an update on how the scheme has progressed throughout the pandemic and highlight its important role in supporting HMCTS’s recovery plans.
In spring 2020, the scheme was live at approximately 100 courts and tribunals across the country. The early months of the pandemic coincided with the transition to new, enhanced technology behind the scheme. This improved the way scheme data is managed and provides a more consistent experience for members, for example enabling security officers to explain any ID card scan issues. We were able to bring around 25 new sites in to the scheme during this transition period.
Then, in October 2020, with the new technology fully in place, and mindful both of scheme members’ desire to see the scheme in operation as widely as possible, as well as the crucial role the scheme can play in contributing to the safety of our buildings’ users, we began rolling it out with renewed vigour.
As of January 2021, the scheme is now live at over 300 courts and tribunals, covering almost the entire estate. Since the onset of the pandemic, scheme membership has also increased significantly, more than doubling to its current figure of over 5,000.
A very small number of locations are not yet operating the scheme. These include sites where the design of historic buildings means they are unable to accommodate sufficient COVID-19 safety measures and as a result are closed for the foreseeable future. We expect that ultimately the scheme will be live at all court and tribunal sites and it will be introduced at these outstanding locations at the earliest opportunity.
Increasing scheme membership
As well as recognising the importance of the breadth of geographical coverage of the scheme, we remain very aware of the desire among our buildings’ professional users that scheme access be extended beyond its existing membership body. Therefore, as well as increasing the number of locations running the scheme, we have continued to liaise closely with a number of organisations, working towards welcoming their members to the scheme.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) joined the scheme in December 2020 and their staff who attend court on a regular basis may now apply for membership.
We are particularly pleased that this month we have welcomed the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA) and the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA) to the scheme. The membership of both associations is supported by the Law Society, and they both accept applications from any practising solicitor, not only their own members. This is a significant development in the growth of the Professional Users’ Access Scheme, making its benefits available to around 100,000 eligible people.
It’s important to note that the safety of all our court users remains our main priority and as the scheme grows, we must all continue to adhere to the public health guidance around social distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures.
It’s likely that adaptations to the scheme’s operation in some buildings may be required for some time in response to changing circumstances, and we recognise that this may on occasion cause disruption to some scheme members. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding in these situations.
Members of the Professional Users’ Access Scheme continue to play a vital role in keeping the justice system operating. A recent survey found that over 85% of members felt that their access to courts and tribunals was improved as a result of the scheme.
We’re proud that the scheme is making such a difference to our legal professional colleagues during these difficult times and supporting wider HMCTS priorities towards recovery from COVID-19.