Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the use of online court sittings.

Whether a hearing is held remotely or not is a judicial decision. HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) supports the judiciary to conduct hearings in their preferred method, be that wholly remote, wholly in person or a combination of remote and physically present participants, enabling justice that is unrestricted by physical location. However, it is ultimately a judicial decision. We are facilitating this through continuing investment in audio and video technology to ensure our courtrooms and tribunal buildings are digitally enabled.

Remote hearings provide additional capacity to ensure cases can be heard quickly, while freeing up space for cases that must be heard in person. Having increased in use during the pandemic, remote hearings are continuing to be used to support court and tribunal recovery.