Courts and tribunals to close for day of Queen's state funeral

The majority of court and tribunal hearings scheduled for Monday, 19 September, will be rescheduled in light of the Queen's state funeral taking place, HM Courts & Tribunals Service has announced.

Hearings that are urgent will go ahead, but the service will attempt to schedule them before and after the state funeral (scheduled to begin at 1100hrs).

The announcement reads: "As previously agreed, however, urgent hearings, including overnight custody cases will continue in consultation with the judiciary. Where possible, and in consultation with the relevant judiciary, we'll seek to list these types of hearings either side of the funeral."

It adds: "We'll adjourn cases where defendants have been remanded in custody to appear in court on the day of the funeral to the next available date. We'll contact all parties and inform them of their new hearing date and venue.”

The announcement also notes that all HM Courts & Tribunals Service venues will close to the public as a mark of respect, including the Royal Courts of Justice, Crown Courts, County Courts, Civil and Family Courts, magistrates' courts, tribunals, business centres and service centres.

Similar arrangements have been made in Scotland. Courts and tribunals set to take place on 19 September will also be rescheduled so as not to clash with the state funeral, and all Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service buildings will be closed.

Adam Carey