High Court of Justice: Christmas Vacation 2023-24
Administrative CourtChancery DivisionFamilyFamily DivisionHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionTechnology and Construction CourtNews
The Royal Courts of Justice and Rolls Building will be closed from Monday 25 December 2023 to Wednesday 27 December 2023 inclusive and on Monday 1 January 2024.
There will be no sitting in court during the Christmas Vacation
During the Christmas Vacation, any causes, matters or applications in any Division which “require to 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 Thursday 21 December 2023 to 10.15am on Wednesday 27 December 2023 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Rajah will act as Vacation Judge from 10.15am on Wednesday 27 December 2023 to 10.15am on Tuesday 2 January 2024 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Richard Smith will act as Vacation Judge from 10.15am on Tuesday 2 January 2024 to 10.15am on Thursday 11 January 2024 inclusive.
King’s Bench Division
The Honourable Mr Justice Jay will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Thursday 21 December 2023 to 5pm on Saturday 23 December 2023 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Freedman will act as Vacation Judge from 5pm on Saturday 23 December 2023 to 10am on Tuesday 26 December 2023 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Jay will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Tuesday 26 December 2022 to 10am on Wednesday 27 December 2023 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Constable will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Wednesday 27 December 2023 to 10am on Tuesday 2 January 2024 inclusive.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Stacey will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Tuesday 2 January 2024 to 10am on Friday 5 January 2024 inclusive.
The Honourable Mrs Justice May will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Friday 5 January 2024 to 4:15pm on Friday 5 January 2024 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Eyre will act as Vacation Judge from 4:15pm on Friday 5 January 2024 to 10am on Thursday 11 January 2024 inclusive.
When the Judge is not sitting in court hours, 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 details 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.
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 (administrativecourtoffice.listoffice@hmcts.x.gsi.gov.uk). Out of normal hours the telephone number of the Duty Judge can be obtained from the Security Office (020 7947 6260).
The procedure to be followed in respect of applications to the Family Division and the Technology & Construction Court is set out below.
Family Division
Family Division matters proceeding in the High Court
Leave for urgent summonses to be listed by the Vacation Judge (a Circuit Judge sitting as a Judge of the High Court) must first be obtained from the District Judge of the Principal Registry of the Family Division, after which the summons should be taken to the Clerk of the Rules Department (Queen’s Building, first floor mezzanine) at the Royal Courts of Justice for formal issue. When the Judge is not sitting in chambers, applications may be made if necessary, but only in cases of extreme urgency, to the High Court Vacation Judge. Contact will be made through this office (Tel: 020 7947 6543) during office hours or at the Security Office (Tel: 020 7947 6260) at other times.
Matrimonial cases pending in Divorce County Courts
A Circuit Judge will be available during the Vacation period to deal with urgent applications in matrimonial causes proceeding in the Family Proceedings Branch and treated as pending in a Divorce County Court.
Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the Principal Registry of the Family Division, First Avenue House (Tel: 020 7947 6540).
Leave to issue an urgent application by notice should be obtained from a District Judge of the Principal Registry of the Family Division, after which the application should be taken to the Clerk of the Rules Department for a date to be fixed and for the formal issue of the application.
A District Judge will pronounce decrees under the Special Procedure (Family Proceedings Rule 236) throughout the Vacation.
Technology & Construction Court business
During the Vacation, Judges of the Technology & Construction Court will be sitting sit on various dates through the vacation period 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. Enquiries should be made to the Registry Office (Tel: 020 7947 6022).