How to use HMCTS Common Platform
Guides for defence professionals on activating an account and using Common Platform to manage cases.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
Common Platform is a case management system for HMCTS, the judiciary, and professional court users, including defence.
Defence solicitors and barristers will need to register for an account before any hearings they attend where Common Platform is used.
With an account you can:
- link yourself to a case or defendant so the Legal Aid Agency is informed for payment purposes
- self-serve case materials, including the initial details of the prosecution case (IDPC) and the preparation for effective trial form (PET form) in the magistrates’ court
- serve documents on the court for Common Platform cases in the magistrates’ court
Once your firm has registered and you have activated your account, you can start managing your cases in Common Platform.
If you are an organisation administrator, see the HMCTS Common Platform for defence administrators guide.
Once your organisation has registered and you have activated your account, you can start accessing cases in Common Platform.
Get help
If you need help getting a unique reference number for a case, email ProfessionalContactCrime@justice.gov.uk or call 0330 808 4407.
If you need further help or have questions that are not addressed in the guidance, you can contact us on our helpdesk or by email.
Helpdesk
Telephone – 0300020 3033989 06886060
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (excluding bank holidays)
CJSCP-DefenceServiceDesk@hmcts.net
We aim to respond within 5 working days.
These guides are for defence professionals. If you are another type of user and need help with Common Platform, email CJSCP-ServiceDesk@hmcts.net.
Last updated
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Changes to how you find a case with the case reference
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Re-published PET and BCM guide
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Update to the serve docs and add case material guide for PET and BCM update
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Changes to the registering and associating to a case guidance and added PET/BCM guide
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First published.