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Common Platform and the Crown Court Digital Case System in England and Wales: registration, access, PET/BCM and PTPH forms, document service, disclosure and hearing check-in for criminal practitioners

Practice notes
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This Practice Note sets out details of the two case management platforms currently employed within the criminal justice system—Common Platform and the Crown Court Digital Case System (often called DCS). It outlines how to create accounts for both services and how each can assist in organising and advancing cases through the courts, as well as their practical court uses. HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has produced a suite of user guides for court users on operating Common Platform and DCS, which are cited and linked throughout this Practice Note.

What is Common Platform?

Common Platform is a digital tool for handling criminal cases. Launched in 2016, its purpose was to modernise the criminal justice system and ease court backlogs. Since August 2023, it has been used across all criminal courts in England and Wales. It was first envisaged as the single case management solution for both magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court; however, the Ministry of Justice has stated that the existing DCS will remain in use for case material and document management in the Crown Court (see below, How to use the Crown Court Digital Case System), while Common Platform will be used for the same purpose in...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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