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When the current Form A/Form E procedure came into being I distictly recall being told that the court was keen on and would actively support continuity of representation at hearings. The benefits of that don't need to be spelled out to anyone. We are continually having problems here in my corner of the SW region where the DJ orders that hearings be listed in accordance with a combined schedule of availablillity. Counsel's clerks duly send in their diaries and ask the court to double-check with them when listing as (spoiler alert!) counsel's availability changes on a daily basis. The court eventually lists without checking. Guess what? Oh, you're way ahead of me! And then... they COMPLETELY ignore all attempts to contact them to request a different date. We have been on the telephone, we have emailed, we have written. Nada. On one occasion my assistant was on the telephone for 40 minutes without it being answered. This is simply not good enough and makes the system look like a lottery. Oh, I see...

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