Asked by: Lord Carlile of Berriew (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to implement procedures to ensure that children and other vulnerable defendants are not subject to video hearings in any situation in which pleas are discussed or entered, or evidence adduced.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
The means through which a youth or other vulnerable defendant attends court is determined by the court on a case by case basis. In exercising any such power, the court must comply with the defendant’s right to a fair trial and, where the defendant is a youth, the statutory duty to have regard to the welfare of children and young persons under s.44 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.