A cervical plate system (1) and method for use in the fixation of a spine comprising a fixation plate (2) having a aperture (3) extending from a bone fixation plate (2) top surface (5) to a bottom surface (12), dimensioned for admitting a bone fixation element (4) shank (15) therethrough and smaller than a bone fixation element (4) head (16) for retaining the head (16) within the aperture (3) and a locking plate (11) positioned adjacent to a surface of the fixation plate (2) and dimensioned for slidable movement along a lateral axis (13) of the fixation plate surface, from a first position wherein the locking plate (11) disengages at least a portion of the bone fixation element (4) to a second position wherein the locking plate (11) engages at least a portion of the bone fixation element (4).
