Physical / remote hearings, case management and more 

The main revisions are:

• Provision for the return to physical appeal hearings in October. Case management hearings and other court business will continue to be conducted remotely unless a party puts forward cogent reasons why a physical hearing is necessary.
• The setting of an indicative timeline for the hearing of an appeal (13 to 16 weeks from the grant of leave to appeal) which the parties are expected to adhere to unless the case management judge gives other directions in a particular case. 
• The incorporation of case management and additional procedures introduced at the beginning of the pandemic which the Court believes have worked effectively and which contribute to the just and efficient determination of appeals and applications.
• Provision for a time limit not to be applied during the month of August (with the exception of the time limited for filing of an application for leave to appeal) and for a two-week period at Christmas. 

Practitioners are requested to note the changes above and to reacquaint themselves with the provisions of the practice direction, particularly the time-limit requirements and the detailed provisions mandating the format for the filing of compliant books of appeal and other documentation.

• View the revised Practice Direction