New digital case management system delivers centralised access to criminal case information

The system provides secure access to the most up-to date case information for all the parties involved in criminal cases – including the judiciary, solicitors and barristers, the Crown Prosecution Service and court staff.

At the same time, our Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC) in Birmingham has begun managing administrative work in support of magistrates’ courts. Staff have been fully trained and are now handling the calls and emails regarding Common Platform cases.

The next courts to go live with Common Platform will be Bristol Crown and Magistrates’ Courts. They will be followed by North Tyneside, Mid and South-East Northumberland Magistrates’ Courts, and Newcastle Crown Court.

Common Platform will be introduced to a series of other early adopter courts before rolling out to all criminal courts across England and Wales.

Kevin Sadler, Acting Chief Executive of HM Courts & Tribunal Service, said:

The Common Platform will provide smarter, more joined up and more streamlined processes and help us deliver more effective and swifter criminal justice for all.

This is a key milestone in our Reform programme, that will improve efficiency and reduce the generation of physical paperwork aiding the delivery of justice.

I’m very proud to see the beginning of the rollout of Common Platform to courts, as I know it will deliver benefits for us and our partner agencies along with everyone involved in the criminal justice system.

Defence professionals can register for accounts to access Common Platform in early adopter courts.