Court Cloud Video Platform (CVP) has become the default video platform for tribunal and short court hearings across HMCTS. For Arabic legal interpreting, this is a structural shift — most First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber (IAC) hearings, Mental Health Tribunal hearings, and many Crown Court case management hearings now run remotely. This article sets out how CVP works in practice, what to expect of the interpreter, and the procedural points that matter.
What CVP Is — and Is Not
CVP is HMCTS's secure video platform, operated under contract through Pexip. It is not a generic videoconferencing tool. CVP is configured for courtroom procedure: parties join in designated roles (judge, advocates, witnesses, interpreters), the bench controls the room, breakout rooms are available for confidential conferences, and recording is automatic under court protocol where the hearing is on record.
Where CVP Is Now Standard for Arabic Interpreting
- First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber): The vast majority of First-tier IAC asylum and immigration appeals at Sheldon Court now run on CVP. See Home Office & Asylum interpreting.
- Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber): Permission, error-of-law, and substantive Upper Tribunal hearings increasingly via CVP.
- First-tier Mental Health Tribunal: Section 2, Section 3, and CTO hearings overwhelmingly remote via CVP. See Mental Health Tribunal interpreting.
- Crown Court case management: PTPH, mention hearings, and sentence remands increasingly via CVP.
- Detention bail: Applications via secure CVP from Yarl's Wood, Brook House, Colnbrook, and Harmondsworth.
Practical Setup for the Interpreter
- Wired ethernet connection preferred over Wi-Fi
- Backup mobile hotspot ready
- Dual-screen setup — CVP on primary, bundle on secondary
- Dedicated phone line on a separate device for backup three-way conference if CVP fails
- Sound-isolated home office or chambers room
- Bundle review completed at least 24 hours before
- CVP test connection completed for sensitive or first-of-kind hearings
Common Procedural Issues — and How They Are Handled
Audio dropout mid-evidence: The interpreter raises a hand or unmutes to notify the bench. Evidence is paused. The witness or appellant is asked to repeat. If audio is unstable, the bench typically directs a five-minute adjournment.
The detainee cannot hear the interpreter at custody-end: The interpreter notifies the bench. If unresolved, the hearing is rescheduled — the bench will not proceed with substantive evidence on a defective audio link.
Confidential conferences during the hearing: The bench can move parties to a breakout room. Solicitor, client, and interpreter only. Confidentiality applies identically to in-person conference.
Cost Implications
Remote work on CVP attracts the standard remote tier rates — £45/hr for MSA, Gulf, Iraqi, Kuwaiti; £50/hr for Yemeni and Sudanese specialist work. 1-hour minimum. No travel charged. For a 90-minute Mental Health Tribunal hearing: typical interpreter cost £67.50 (1.5 hours × £45) for standard dialects. In-person equivalent would attract travel time and mileage. See the full rate card.