Legal Definitions - Hilary sittings

Hilary sittings

In the legal system of England and Wales, the Hilary sittings refer to one of the four designated periods each year when the higher courts are officially in session to conduct judicial business, such as hearing trials, appeals, and other legal applications.

This specific court term begins annually on January 11th and concludes on the Wednesday before Easter. It is a crucial period for scheduling and conducting a wide range of legal proceedings across various courts.

• Example 1: Scheduling a Major Trial

  Imagine a high-profile corporate fraud case involving several defendants and complex financial evidence. The judge and legal teams might strategically plan for the trial to commence or conclude during the Hilary sittings. This ensures that the court is actively sitting for a continuous period, allowing for the extensive presentation of evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments without interruption from court recesses.

• Example 2: Appellate Court Hearings

  The Court of Appeal might schedule a series of urgent appeals related to family law disputes or significant commercial disagreements. Lawyers representing clients in these appeals would prepare their submissions knowing that the appellate judges are fully engaged and hearing cases during the Hilary sittings, making it a prime time for their appeals to be heard and decisions rendered.

• Example 3: Public Law Challenges

  A non-governmental organization (NGO) decides to challenge a recent government decision regarding a new infrastructure project through a judicial review. Their legal team would aim to have the application for judicial review heard during the Hilary sittings, understanding that the administrative courts are fully operational and dedicated to hearing such public law challenges during this specific term.