HM Courts & Tribunals Service confirmed today that three employees who had contracted Covid-19 have subsequently died. 

Amid fears about the safety of those working in the justice system, the Gazette asked HMCTS how many court staff have been hospitalised or died after contracting the virus.

A HMCTS spokesperson said three individuals had died after testing positive. ‘Our thoughts are with their family and friends and support is being provided for their colleagues,’ the spokesperson said.

HMCTS said the causes of death will be a matter for the coroner. Staff have access to 24/7 counselling, trauma support and occupational health.

It is not known how the three individuals contracted the virus but the Gazette understands that they had been absent from work for a while.

The government has been heavily criticised over recent days over the number of people who are being tested daily for the virus. Access to Covid-19 testing has been extended to frontline workers including operational HMCTS staff and the judiciary.

HMCTS said yesterday that it is doing everything it can to keep its 18,700-strong workforce as safe as possible during the pandemic. More than 8,000 laptops are being provided to enable staff to work from home. Critical worker staff are being helped to work from home, work flexible hours or maintain social distancing in a physical location.