On 9th January 2012 the South West Region published the consultation paper ‘Modernisation of Face to Face Service Provision in the Civil and Family Courts’ and invited comments on its proposals. The consultation period closed on 2nd March 2012 and since that time we have been undertaking a detailed analysis of the responses. We have now published our Consultation Response and the interim Equality Impact Assessment.

If you would like a copy of these documents please ask a member of staff.

The Region will be piloting revised counter hours of 10am to 2pm from 3rd September 2012 until 29th March 2013 for all County Courts (and co-located Family Proceedings Courts) with the exception of Bristol Civil Justice Centre where a full time counter service will be available for High Court/specialist jurisdiction related queries. There will also be an “appointments only” pilot at one Court in each cluster yet to be agreed and will be announced locally in those courts in the next couple of weeks.  In these courts the counter will be closed and only accessible by prior appointment.

The further data gathered in both pilots will be used to complete a full Equality Impact Assessment and a full review of the arrangements will take place in April 2013.

Further details on the pilots will be published as soon as possible.