High Court of Justice: Easter Vacation 2026
Administrative CourtChancery DivisionFamily DivisionHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionTechnology and Construction Court
The Royal Courts of Justice and the Rolls Building will both be closed from Friday 3 April 2026 to Monday 6 April 2026 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 Adam Johnson will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026 to 10.15am on Tuesday 14 April 2026 inclusive.
King’s Bench Division
The Honourable Mr Justice Johnson will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15 pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026 to 10am on Thursday 2 April 2026 inclusive.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Lambert will act as Vacation Judge from 10am to 4.15pm on Thursday 2 April 2026.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Obi will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Thursday 2 April 2026 to 10am on 3 April 2026.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Friday 3 April 2026 to 10am on Monday 6 April 2026.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Stacey will act as Vacation Judge from 10am on Monday 6 April 2026 to 4.15pm on Friday 10 April 2026 inclusive.
The Honourable Mr Justice Griffiths will act as Vacation Judge from 4.15pm on Friday 10 April 2026 to 10am on Tuesday 14 April 2026 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 6000) or by email to administrativecourtoffice.listoffice@justice.gov.uk
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 and 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.