Oral Answers to Questions

Suzanne Webb Excerpts

Thursday 4th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Suzanne Webb (Stourbridge) (Con)]

5. What assessment she has made of the ability of the CPS to participate successfully in virtual hearings during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con)]

7. What assessment she has made of the ability of the CPS to participate successfully in virtual hearings during the covid-19 outbreak.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Solicitor General]

I thank my hon. Friend for that very important question. The CPS is working closely with the Courts and Tribunals Service and interpreters to ensure that victims, witnesses and defendants with hearing impairments of any sort can properly participate in virtual proceedings. It is important, and virtual hearings with hearing-impaired defendants have already taken place effectively. We will continue to monitor the situation.

[Suzanne Webb]

What learning can the justice system take from this period and will virtual hearings continue in future?

[The Solicitor General]

The CPS will and needs to engage in evaluation exercises on this subject with partners as part of its future working programme to assess the impact of video hearings. There is a lot to learn and we can identify benefits and learn lessons. Where there are advantages for all court users going forward, we would want to see those in place.