A Nightingale Court is a temporary court in England and Wales established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, Robert Buckland, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Justice, announced that ten temporary courts would be established in venues across England and Wales, including a medieval chamber and at the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice, saying that they would help with "reducing delays and delivering speedier justice for victims". Their role was to hear civil and family cases, tribunals work, and non-custodial criminal cases. The new courts would provide more room in current courts for hearings where cells and secure dock facilities are needed, including jury trials where the defendant is in custody. They were a response to the closure of about half of existing courts unable to provide services in lockdown conditions where, for example, jury trials could not be held as large, well-ventilated spaces were not available.