Please can all BLS members who are Court users take the opportunity to have their voices heard at Bristol Civil Justice Centre.

From the 9 January 2012 to the 6 March 2012 the Court is consulting local court users on proposals to make changes to the public counter services available at our courts.

The proposals are broadly as follows:

§         Civil and Family Courts public counters will no longer process routine work which does not require a face to face service provision and users will be diverted to the alternatives which are already in place such as on-line services, telephone, email and post;

§         Hearings will continue as normal.  Members of the public attending hearings will still have access to court staff as necessary;

§         Provision will remain to deal with urgent business;

§         No one who needs face to face help will be turned away

The changes being proposed will allow us to increase efficiency in the processing of court work by ensuring that more of our resource is focused on getting this done quicker. They will also mean that your visits to the court office will be limited to only those that are absolutely essential therefore removing unneeded and wasted journeys.

If you want to take part in this consultation please contact the court via email at: e-filing@ bristol.countycourt.gsi.gov.uk or via telephone on: 0117 3664821 to obtain a copy of the consultation letter.

Alternatively consultation letters are available in our waiting and public counter areas at the Bristol Civil Justice Centre, 2, Redcliff Street, Bristol, BS1 6GR