Manchester Crown Court has closed again after three people tested positive for Covid-19, according to an announcement by the representative body for barristers practising in the north of England.

Manchester Crown Court, on Crown Square in Spinningfields, was closed on Thursday morning for deep cleaning after a member of staff was diagnosed with coronavirus. According to a tweet by the Northern Circuit, three people have now tested positive and the court will be closed today.

The Northern Circuit said deep cleaning is being carried out and advice is being sought about steps that will be needed to address the incident. Efforts are being made to re-list some cases at Manchester’s other court complex on Minshull Street. 

HM Courts & Tribunals Service said it had temporarily closed the court to conduct a deep clean based on public health guidance. The court is expected to reopen tomorrow.

Some 64 Crown courts have now resumed jury trials, with courts in Worcester and Shrewsbury reopening today. Last month, the Ministry of Justice also announced 10 so-called ‘Nightingale courts’ which are hoped will ease the pressure on the justice system.

 

*The Law Society is keeping the coronavirus situation under review and monitoring the advice it receives from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Public Health England.

Please see the Gazette’s dedicated coronavirus page here >>