The legal profession has had to adapt quickly to the continuing restrictions imposed by the global pandemic, COVID-19. Firms and chambers have rapidly put in place arrangements for their partners, members and staff to work from home. But what about those who would regularly spend most of their time in court?

How has a system that ordinarily requires litigants and their legal teams to attend hearings in person adapted to this time of crisis? When most people only require the assistance of the court as a last resort or when they are at their most vulnerable, what measures have been put in place to ensure there is continued access to justice?

Looking at the administrative side, HM Courts & Tribunals Service has consolidated its work into fewer courts. Courts are categorised by "open courts" (open to the public for essential face-to-face hearings), "staffed courts" (staff and judges will work from these buildings, but they will not be open to the public) and "suspended courts" (temporarily closed).