Gratis visa application process for parties attending the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London announced

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is pleased to confirm a free streamlined process for visa applications by parties attending appeals in London.

Working with the UK Home Office and Ministry of Justice, the JCPC has enabled a gratis visa route to support Commonwealth citizens who are travelling specifically to attend and participate in JCPC proceedings. This includes the Appellant and Respondent parties and their legal teams (but not wider family members).

When a hearing date is confirmed, counsel should use the JCPC portal to confirm who will attend the hearing in person and whether these participants will be requesting a visa. The JCPC will require confirmation of an applicant’s connection to the case. The JCPC will then supply an invitation letter and further guidance on how to apply for the visa.

Visa applications will be processed through the usual database checks and additional information may, in some circumstances, be required from the Home Office.

Commenting on the new gratis process, Registrar Laura Angus said:

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is very pleased to be able to confirm the UK Government’s offer of this service to parties attending appeals in London. We listen to our users' feedback and this decision underlines the JCPC’s commitment to open justice, transparency and continual improvement. We also routinely offer hybrid hearings for parties who prefer to take part in appeal hearings virtually.