Operational Update 6 July 2020

Chambers has decided to reopen our doors from Monday 6^th July. All government guidelines have been followed to allow us to open safely and we ask all visitors to chambers comply with social distancing rules together with sign posted directions in and around our building.

We will be operating with a small number of staff working in chambers with the rest working from home. As a result Chambers opening times will be 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Contacting us

Members of chambers and staff can be contacted via our receptionist on: 0161 833 6000

Alternatively individual members of our clerking and administration teams can be contacted by their direct lines which can be found on our website: https://www.cobden.co.uk/clerksandadmin/

Instructions

We continue to ask that instructions to counsel are sent by email ideally in a single paginated/bookmarked PDF format.

For Criminal matters please continue to invite counsel on the DCS. Should you need to send hard copies of any material, please discuss in advance with the clerks.

Conferences and JSMs

Conferences, JSMs and mediations have been successfully taking place by telephone, Skype or Zoom during the last few months and we actively encourage that to continue. The clerks can provide counsels’ direct contact details or Skype / Zoom details.

We acknowledge that there may be occasions and scenarios that require in person conferences to take place. To assist our valued clients, in these circumstances we are happy to accommodate these in chambers in the usual way with the appropriate social distancing measures and guidelines used by all attendees.

Court Hearings

Whilst live hearings have slowly started to resume, the majority of hearings are still currently being heard remotely by telephone and by the various video methods. The current position seems to be that Skype / Teams and Cloud Video Platform – The MOJ’s new bespoke system – are the likely methods. Here is a link to the MOJ’s website which provides official guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmcts-telephone-and-video-hearings-during-coronavirus-outbreak

Please contact the clerks to discuss further.

Making a payments

Wherever possible, please make all payments via BACS. Our BACS details are contained on all fee notes. The clerks can assist if you should need any information.

We are grateful to all our clients during this difficult time and if there is any way we can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact the clerks.

We thank you for your support and patience in these difficult and unprecedented times. We believe it is vital that all professionals within the legal industry collaborate to ensure that the wheels of justice continue to turn. If there is any way we as a chambers can assist you to continue to operate please do not hesitate to contact us.