Remote Hearings

(asked on 11th March 2021) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to consult judges on the potential effect of proposals to expand the use of video court hearings in the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 16th March 2021

Live links were extended in the criminal courts under temporary provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020 and have been used extensively during the pandemic. The feedback we have received from judges and other court users has helped inform the drafting of these replacement provisions in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill.

The use of live links in criminal courts is subject to judicial discretion and will only be used where the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice, having considered any representations from parties to the proceedings.

The process for considering live link applications in the criminal courts is set out in the Criminal Procedure Rules, Criminal Practice Directions, and any guidance from the Lord Chief Justice.

In non-criminal courts, and tribunals, the use of audio and video technology is not prescribed in legislation, but provision for those courts and tribunals, as well as for criminal courts, for ensuring open justice in cases conducted using such technology, is made in the Coronavirus Act 2020 and will be made permanent in the PCSC Bill.

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