Professional court users' access scheme

What's changing

August 2024

Professional users’ access scheme (PUAS) members will be able to enter court buildings without needing a routine security check on each visit by verifying credentials which satisfy HMCTS’ robust, risk-based safety and security policy.

The scheme had previously been trialled at three adopter sites across the London region.

It will now be rolled out nationally over the next few weeks as court security officers are trained.

The updated conditions of entry, which include further details of the adapted search, will be shared with PUAS members.

You can sign up to the PUAS and get an ID card that allows fast-track court access to HMCTS buildings using:

• London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA), or
• Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA)

May 2024 – search procedure changes

In May 2024, we raised concerns about the searching procedures with HMCTS following a number of serious incidents at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.

We welcomed the changes implemented by HMCTS meaning professional users of Stratford Magistrates’ Court, including solicitors, were no longer subject to an enhanced search.

2022 – solicitor ID cards

In 2022, HMCTS began piloting manual searches in court and tribunal buildings.

Solicitors who signed up to the court ID card scheme for professional users were not impacted.

An arrangement was made in early 2021 to allow solicitors to register with the professional users’ access scheme by the LCCSA and CLSA with investment from the Law Society.

All solicitors with a practising certificate were eligible, meaning they could access more than 300 HMCTS buildings without needing a routine security search on each visit.

How to apply for the scheme

You can apply to join the PUAS through the LCCSA or CLSA.

If you are not a member of those organisations, you will be charged £36.

It can take up to 10 working days to receive your card.

You’ll also need to provide:

• a recent passport photograph
• your solicitor roll number
• further details about yourself and your organisation

We partnered with the LCCSA and CLSA to expedite the availability of cards and use existing card application processes that meet the requirements of HMCTS’ PUAS system.

HMCTS’ system, which was implemented in August 2020, does not allow for organisations joining the scheme to develop a smartphone-based ID check.