Insolvency Courts go Online

A temporary practice direction removes the need for parties in insolvency proceedings to come in to court.

The Insolvency Practice Direction (IPD) applies to all insolvency proceedings in the Business and Property Courts subject to variations outside London as directed by the supervising judge.

The IPD provides as follows:

6\. Remote Hearings

6.1 Unless ordered otherwise, all insolvency hearings will be conducted remotely by way of Skype for Business or such other technology as the parties and the court agree in advance of the hearing.

6.2In the event that the judge determines, for whatever reason, that it is inappropriate to continue the hearing, the hearing shall be adjourned and a new hearing date and time will be fixed by the court.

6.3 Where the circumstances described at 6.2 apply, a notice of adjournment will be issued by the court.

7\. Temporary listing procedure for winding-up and bankruptcy petitions

7.1 As from the date this paragraph is brought into effect the Court will list for hearing all winding-up and bankruptcy petitions (whether adjourned pursuant to paragraph 4.2 above or otherwise) in the manner described in this paragraph 7.

7.2 The Court shall allocate time slots for groups of 2 or more petitions. Each time slot shall be given a designated meeting link using Skype for Business, or such other video conferencing technology as the relevant Court decides, or BT MeetMe, or such other telephone conferencing technology as the relevant court decides. The links shall be published on the daily cause list. The onus is on the parties to ensure they are able to utilise the link provided.

7.3In the event that one or more of the parties is unable to use the link designated by the Court, subject to the judge’s availability, they may arrange an alternative link via the Court clerks.

This is revolutionary. Pretty much all insolvency proceedings will move online. Will the Courts ever return to “normal” after this one wonders?