A message from LT Law
We write to address any concerns you may have as to the level of service you can expect to receive from us during the global Coronavirus pandemic.
Whilst it will not be ‘business as usual’ for any of us, you can rest assured that we at LT Law will continue to prepare, advise and represent our clients in all existing cases to the high standard expected. We will also assist new clients who seek to instruct us directly, or through the duty schemes at either the Police Station or the Magistrates’ Courts.
That said, we must promote public safety in the current crisis and as a result, we will not be offering face to face meetings in our office. Anybody seeking to instruct us should not hesitate to contact us 24 hours per day on 01228 402069 or at at@carlislecriminallaw.co.uk. We will respond quickly and will make any necessary arrangements for funding your case and arranging representation remotely. We will carry out any meetings over telephone or video conference.
Understandably, many who have Court dates listed or bail returns scheduled at the Police Station will wonder whether or not their cases will be going ahead as planned.
Attending Court or the Police Station whilst subject to bail is a legally binding requirement. You should attend unless:
- You have been informed by the Courts/Police that you are not required to answer your bail.
- You are either displaying symptoms of Coronavirus, or have been advised to self-isolate by the government due to having somebody in the same household with symptoms or due to you falling into the high-risk category as per government advice.
It would be sensible to contact us ahead of your appearance in any event so that we can confirm the position and advise further, if necessary.
We can advise that as of this morning, no Crown Court Trials will start until further notice.
Currently, we have been informed in respect of cases up to the end of April 2020. We expect that to apply to far more cases as the weeks progress.
For any physical meetings that do take place at Court or the Police Station, please note that we will be adopting the government’s strict advice on social distancing and keeping 2 metres distance for the safety of everybody concerned. The Lord Chief Justice has issued a statement this morning supporting this approach. https://www.judiciary.uk/announcements/review-of-court-arrangements-due-to-covid-19-message-from-the-lord-chief-justice/
We very much look forward to normal service resuming. Until then, please know that we are here, willing and able to help in these unprecedented times.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Toms and Mark Shepherd