On 22 May it was announced that four courts had sworn in juries that week, with positive feedback from participants, and more courts were announced for new trials the following week.
On 25 May, Winchester, Warwick and Reading crown courts opened as well.
Due to the success of this first round of opening, seven additional Crown Courts will resume jury trials over the next week.
The additional courts and their restarting dates are:
| Court Name | Fit to resume Jury Trial |
| Swansea Crown Court | 15 June 2020 |
| Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court | 15 June 2020 |
| Newport Crown Court | 15 June 2020 |
| Nottingham Crown Court | 15 June 2020 |
| Wood Green Crown Court | 15 June 2020 |
| Bradford Crown Court | 16 June 2020 |
| Caernarfon Crown Court | 17 June 2020 |
As previously highlighted, arrangements to allow appropriate distancing to be maintained at all times include providing a second courtroom, linked by closed circuit TV, to enable reporters and others to watch the proceedings, and another court room to use for jury deliberations. Court staff will ensure that entrances and exits are carefully supervised, and that all necessary cleaning takes place. Details of the work being led by HMCTS to ensure the safety of all its buildings and further information is available on GOV.UK.
The trials will be conducted under the same legal standards and procedures as before the COVID-19 emergency, with twelve jurors. Jury service is an essential part of criminal justice and jurors perform a vital duty. Further work is planned to enable jury trials to proceed in additional courts around the country.
Previous announcements
22 May 2020 – Message from the Chair of the Jury Trials Working Group on resumption of jury trials
13 May 2020 – Jury trial working group update
11 May 2020 – Jury trials to resume this month