The London Civil, Family and Tribunals Delivery Director has written to Civil Court Users Association (CCUA) to inform our Members that funding has been secured to support a programme of essential capital investment works to improve heating, cooling and ventilation systems at Barnet Civil and Family Court.

The contractors recommendation is that the 8-court centre, which accommodates both civil and family work, will need to be temporarily closed for an anticipated period of 10-months to undertake the works. Following engagement with Senior Judiciary, it has been agreed that the building will be closed after court sittings on 29 November 2024 to allow sufficient time to enact contingency planning prior to the works commencing.

During the closure period, arrangements will be put in place for hearings to take place across other courts in London. The proposal is that the District/Circuit Judge family tier work will be listed into courtrooms at the Royal Courts of Justice, the family magistrates tier work will be listed at First Avenue House and the civil work will
be listed at Willesden County Court.

These arrangements should provide the best solution to ensure court hearings can continue whilst the capital
works are underway and will be kept under regular review to minimise disruption. All parties with scheduled hearings during the temporary closure period will be contacted by the court to confirm where their hearing will be taking place. A drop-in session will be held to address any queries and stakeholders will be kept updated on the progress of the project.