High Court availability this Easter
Administrative CourtChancery DivisionFamily DivisionKing's Bench DivisionTechnology and Construction CourtNews
The Royal Courts of Justice and the Rolls Building will both be closed from Friday 7 April 2023 to Monday 10 April 2023 inclusive.
There will be no sitting in court during the Easter Vacation
During the Easter Vacation, any causes, matters or applications in any Division which “require at be immediately or promptly heard” will be heard by the Judge acting as Vacation Judge for the appropriate Division as detailed below.
The quotation is taken from Order 64, Rule 3 (1), replacing a rule which was fully analysed in Esso Petroleum Co Ltd v Dawn Property Co Ltd {1973} 1WLR 1450; {1973} 3 All E R 181
No application which does not fall strictly within this category will be dealt with.
Chancery Division
The Honourable Mr Justice Zacaroli will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Wednesday 5 April 2023 to 10.15am on Wednesday 12 April 2023 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Leech will act as Vacation Judge from 10.15am on Wednesday 12 April 2023 to 10.15am on Tuesday 18 April 2023 inclusive.
King’s Bench Division
The Honourable Mrs Justice Foster will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Wednesday 5 April 2023 to 10am on Wednesday 12 April 2023 inclusive.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Lambert will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Wednesday 12 April 2023 to 10am on Friday 14 April 2023 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Friday 14 April 2023 to 10am on Tuesday 18 April 2023 inclusive.
Administrative Court
A Nominated Judge will sit throughout the Vacation Period to deal with matters in the Administrative Court List. All applications during office hours must be made to the Listing Officer (020 7947 6655). Out of normal hours the telephone number of the Duty Judge can be obtained from the Security Office (020 7947 6260).
Family Division
Any Urgent Applications should be made by telephone in the first instance to the Associate Office on 0207 947 7351 or by email to rcj.familyhighcourt@justice.gov.uk
Technology & Construction Court
During the Vacation, a Judge of the Technology & Construction Court will sit to deal with summonses by appointment and in the case of urgent matters at other times by arrangement with the clerks to the Judges of the Technology & Construction Court. For further information please ring the Registry Office (020 7947 6022).
When the Judge is not sitting in court, applications may be made if necessary, but only in cases of extreme urgency, to the Judge personally. The address of the Judge must first be obtained through the Clerk to the Judge on Vacation duty, whose telephone number may be obtained from the listing office to the appropriate Division, or where the offices are closed, at the Security Office (020 7947 6260). Applications to the Judge personally are not to be made except after reference to the Judge’s clerk or the office responsible for listing for the appropriate Division.