UK Snowstorm Closes Courts, Keeps Law Firm Employees at Home

A heavy snowstorm has shuttered London courts and produced “near gridlock” at law firms.

London’s central criminal court, known as Old Bailey, was closed as a result of the region’s heaviest snowstorm in 20 years, Times Online reports. Buses and all but one line on London’s Tube were shut down overnight, but the city was working to restore service, the story says.

Many London lawyers were unable to travel to work, producing “near gridlock” for many law firms in the city, according to Legal Week. Clifford Chance mobilized its emergency task force. Its members coordinate work being handled by employees at home offices and help employees who did venture into work find hotel rooms if they can’t make it home.

Several law firms were encouraging employees to go home early, since the snow was expected to continue today.