The troubling attack on a judge at Milton Keynes County Court in November made national headlines, as the victim was hospitalised by a litigant during a hearing.

The incident naturally led to questions being asked about security at Milton Keynes and the wider estate. HM Courts & Tribunals Service insisted this type of incident was ‘extremely rare’, but court users said problems at the site had been bubbling under for years, with judges threatened and tinderbox cases shunted to unsuitably small rooms.

Seeking to provide some reassurance, HMCTS stressed it was ‘urgently reviewing’ the circumstances for the attack.

A month on, and the Gazette asked what this review had uncovered and what changes had been made. Have they drafted in more staff? Increased background checks on litigants? Fitted benches with alarm systems?

Frustratingly, we were told the initial investigation had been completed but officials were unlikely to share details as that could ‘compromise security’.

It is not immediately clear how knowing about extra security measures presents a threat to security, but we’d love to know what has changed. If any lawyers have noticed (or perhaps not noticed) the fruits of the urgent investigation, do get in touch. We'll obviously be discreet about anything that could be of use to the bad guys. 

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