Lawyers and court staff were urged to stay hydrated and keep out of direct sunlight ahead of expected record temperatures today, but courts are open in England and Wales despite the Met Office issuing the first-ever ‘red warning’ for exceptional heat.

There is a 50% chance that temperatures could reach 40°C today and tomorrow, the Met Office has warned, and an 80% chance that the previous highest recorded temperature in the UK of 38.7°C will be exceeded.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has issued guidance to staff to try and keep buildings ‘as comfortable as possible’, including by ‘installing air cooling units, moving desks out of direct sunlight and making sure that windows are open’.

‘We are doing everything within our control to maintain comfortable levels of cooling within the buildings on our estate,’ a HMCTS spokesperson added.

It has also reminded staff of NHS advice on coping in hot weather, which recommends staying hydrated, staying out of direct sunlight at the hottest times of day and keeping an eye on those who might be more vulnerable in the heat.

‘We are continuing to monitor this position and may change or strengthen guidance if needed as the situation develops,’ HMCTS said. ‘Further advice will be issued to staff and court users via operational leads as required.’

Last July, Evening Standard court correspondent Tristan Kirk reported that a criminal trial in London was halted by a judge who said that ‘it’s too hot for any of us to be working’.

However at Southwark Crown Court in London this morning temperatures were bearable enough for some counsel to continue wearing gowns and wigs, as jurors heard closing arguments in the trial of two solicitors and a financial adviser over the collapse of the Axiom Legal Financing Fund.

 

- How are you coping in the heat? Let us know: michael.cross@lawsociety.org.uk