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UK
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USA
What to do if…
you cannot join a remote court hearing because the link or instructions do not work
Short answer
Contact the court promptly using the number on your hearing notice or the court’s official website. Say that you are ready to appear but the link or instructions are not working, and ask how to join the hearing.
Do not do these things
- Do not spend a long time troubleshooting without also contacting the court.
- Do not assume the court will know that you tried to join.
- Do not use contact details from an unverified message if the notice looks suspicious. Find the court’s official website and use the contact details published there.
- Do not share a hearing link, Meeting ID, passcode, dial-in details, or personal information with anyone who is not authorized to receive them.
- Do not assume that phone access is permitted. Ask the court whether an alternate approved way to join is available.
- Do not make an unplanned trip to the courthouse unless your notice requires in-person attendance or court staff direct you to go there.
What to do now
-
Open the hearing notice or order.
Note the court name, case number, hearing time, judge or department if listed, platform, and any contact details. -
Try one quick connection check.
- Open the link again carefully.
- Re-enter the Meeting ID or passcode if one was provided.
- Try another browser or device if one is available.
- Check whether your internet connection is working.
-
Contact the court immediately if the hearing is starting or has started.
Use the phone number on the notice first. If that does not work, use the contact details on the court’s official website. Ask for the clerk’s office, courtroom staff, or the department listed on your notice. Say:
“I am ready to appear for my remote hearing, but the link or instructions are not working. What should I do to join the hearing?” -
Ask whether an alternate approved connection method is available.
The court may tell you to use a different link, a dial-in number, or another court-approved method. Use only the details provided by the court or shown on an official court website. -
Contact your lawyer at the same time if you have one.
Tell them that you are trying to appear and that the access details are not working. -
Keep a brief note of what happened.
Write down when you tried to join, the error message if there was one, and when and how you contacted the court. Take a screenshot if it is quick and safe to do so. -
If staff or a supervising officer arranged your access, tell them promptly.
Explain that the remote-hearing access method failed and ask for help contacting the court. -
Stay reachable while you follow the court’s instructions.
Keep your phone charged. Do not provide personal information, payment information, or hearing access details in response to an unexpected call or email. Use an official published court number to call back and ask what to do.
What can wait
- You do not need to solve every technical problem before contacting the court.
- You do not need to write a detailed explanation while the hearing is starting.
- You do not need to decide now whether to file a motion, complaint, or other document.
- You do not need to discuss the merits of your case while you are trying to get connected.
Important reassurance
Remote-hearing links and instructions can fail for ordinary reasons. The most useful first step is to tell the court promptly that you are ready to appear and need instructions.
Scope note
These are first steps only. The correct process and available connection methods depend on the court, the hearing, and the case type. Later decisions may need help from a lawyer or another qualified specialist.
Important note
This is general information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. Follow the instructions from your court and seek qualified help for advice about your case.
Additional Resources
About this guide
This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.