HMCTS Cracks Down on Unsafe Mental Health Hearing Venues
His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has launched a major safety blitz across all court and tribunal locations. This crackdown includes hospital and trust sites where mental health hearings take place.
Over 820 Venues Under Scrutiny
HMCTS has contacted more than 820 mental health hearing venues, demanding proof their rooms meet strict minimum safety and security standards. They’ve also rolled out fresh guidance to tighten tribunal hearing procedures.
Face-to-Face Hearings Suspended at Risky Venues
The review is still underway, but HMCTS isn’t hanging around. Venues failing to confirm compliance or fall short on safety will have face-to-face hearings suspended immediately. These pauses will stay until problems are fixed and fully understood.
Video Hearings to Replace Unsafe In-Person Sessions
Where panel safety is questionable, cases will switch to ‘Video Hearing Only’. Exceptions can be made for medical reasons, in which case a representative can apply for a hearing to be reviewed by a Designated Tribunal Judge (DTJ).
At compliant venues, patients keep the choice of face-to-face or video hearings. HMCTS promises ongoing updates as more sites meet safety rules.
