COVID-19 UPDATE
Haywood, Lunn & Allen Solicitors
DUE TO THE GOVERNMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS IN 2021 AND THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ADVISED OUR OFFICES ARE MANNED AND OPEN TO CLIENTS IN A COVID SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
Please rest assured that during these troubled times we will continue to represent all those who have matters to be dealt with at the police station, Magistrates Court, or the Crown Court.
AT THE POLICE STATION:
Our solicitors will continue to attend at the police station but ask that people in custody appreciate and respect the need for 'social distancing' - ie no physical contact (handshakes etc) and personal spacing. We may also need to limit the time our solicitors are in close quarters with a detainee, but this is to protect all present. A letter will be handed to all detainees outlining their rights at the police station and the process that a detainee will go through. Pre-prepared statements may be utilised to avoid detainees have to be in a physical interview with the police for prolonged periods of time. This will of course be tailored to the circumstances of all individual cases.
AT THE MAGISTRATES COURT:
The Government and the Lord Chief Justice has confirmed that ALL cases will continue. This includes all matters subject to a Summon, Charge / Bail, or a full trial. HMCTS has assured all that the buildings are fully COVID safe. You must attend or a warrant can be issued for your arrest if you fail to attend.
If you are self isolating / have had a positive test within the last 10 days of your court date the court WILL NOT require your attendance but WILL REQUIRE proof from the 'track & trace' system or the positive test result.
However for interim hearings it may be possible to deal with your case remotely via video link. Please forward to us your email address and we can attempt to accommodate this.
AT THE CROWN COURT:
We understand the case to be as above. All cases will continue including Jury trials. However for interim hearings it may be possible to deal with your case remotely via video link. Please forward to us your email address and we can attempt to accommodate this.
SEEING CLIENTS:
Please be assured that through this troubled time we will continue to be in regular contact with our clients. We are working at the office and from home and have access to ZOOM / skype / telephone calls and of course you can email / contact us via our contact page on this site, or via our facebook / twitter pages. One of our solicitors or staff will then get back to you as soon as possible. Our out of hours numbers remains manned 24/7.
If you wish to attend the office in person please make an appointment was we intend to keep 'footfall' to a minimum so we will not accept 'drop in work' if there are any other clients on site. If thhis is the case you will be invited to book an appointment.
There is clear signage on our entrance detailing out procedures including hand sanitising and limiting movement within the office. Also you WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASK / SHOW EVIDENCE OF EXEMPTION.
We will do everything through this troubled time to ensure our services remain unparalleled and un-interupted. We will all get though this together.
Stay Safe.