High Court of Justice: Easter Vacation 2024

Administrative CourtChancery DivisionFamily DivisionHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionTechnology and Construction CourtNews

The Royal Courts of Justice and the Rolls Building will both be closed from Friday 29 March 2024 to Monday 1 April 2024 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 Fancourt will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Wednesday 27 March 2024 to 10.15am on Wednesday 3 April 2024 inclusive.

The Honourable Mr Justice Adam Johnson will act as Vacation Judge from 10.15am on Wednesday 3 April 2024 to 10.15am on Tuesday 9 April 2024 inclusive.

King’s Bench Division

The Honourable Mrs Justice Dias will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15 pm on Wednesday 27 March 2024 to 10am on Sunday 31 March 2024 inclusive.

The Honourable Mr Justice Jay will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Sunday 31 March 2024 to 10am on Tuesday 2 April 2024 inclusive.

The Honourable Mr Justice Freedman will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Tuesday 2 April 2024 to 10am on Friday 5 April 2024 inclusive.

The Honourable Mrs Justice Stacey will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Friday 5 April 2024 to 4.15pm on Sunday 7 April 2024 inclusive.

The Honourable Mr Justice Pepperall will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Sunday 7 April 2024 to 10am on Tuesday 9 April 2024 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 Business

 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.