Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information on assessed risks from covid-19 in courts was shared with staff unions before jury trials restarted; and if he will make a statement.

A judicial led Jury Trials Working Group (JTWG) was set up to establish ways in which jury trials can be commenced safely. The JTWG developed a Crown Court Jury Trial checklist which was discussed with the Departmental Trade Union Side (DTUS) on 30 April and a copy shared with them on 4 May. Completed risk assessments were shared with the DTUS before the first jury trials resumed on 18 May.