Professional users’ court and tribunal access scheme
A membership scheme permitting enhanced access through security in HMCTS buildings for registered holders with the appropriate scheme ID.
About the scheme
It’s aimed at professional court users such as qualified lawyers who routinely attend courts and tribunals. It allows them to enter our buildings without needing a routine security search on each visit, by verifying credentials which satisfy our robust, risk-based safety and security policy.
This benefits scheme members and assists the smooth running of courts and tribunals by helping to minimise delays on entry. Separate fast-access lanes for members are available during the busiest times of the day, where possible. A QR code on members’ ID cards is scanned to enable entry without further security checks, other than random screenings.
Who is eligible?
Registration for the scheme began with the Bar Council, which developed a secure ID card for its members.
The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA) and Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) have also signed up to the scheme. Access to registration through these associations is not restricted to their members. All solicitors with practising certificates are able to sign up via this route, which has been made possible with the investment and support of the Law Society.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is also an eligible member organisation, demonstrating our commitment to broadening the scheme to a wider cohort of professional court users.
HMCTS is continuing to work with other organisations whose members or staff also wish to participate in the scheme.
How to register
- members of the Bar Council can register for the scheme using the Bar Council’s secure My Bar portal
- solicitors can register via the LCCSA and CLSA websites
- CPS members can apply via the CPS intranet
Registration details for other organisations will be added as they join the scheme.
Adapted security search
In October 2024, we introduced an adapted search for Professional Users’ Access Scheme members. This follows our continuous review of risk assessments to ensure the safety of all court users, keep security measures proportionate and in doing so allow smooth access to our buildings by minimising queues.
Details of the adapted search are in the updated scheme ‘Conditions of Entry’ guidance, circulated to all organisations with participating members.
The adapted search does not apply to a small number of sites. This includes sites that are subject to their own security arrangements, where we continue to work with security providers to consider future options, and sites which have a limited throughput of scheme members.