Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Video and Audio Use in Court Proceedings

Tuesday 9 June 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The increased use of video and audio for court proceedings has risen tenfold since the start of the covid-19 outbreak, reaching about 4,000 daily remote hearings.
  • The cloud video platform is being rolled out to enable remote court proceedings, with full implementation in Crown courts and magistrates' courts by the end of June.
  • Data on court listings and hearings is regularly published, and judges decide on remote or in-person hearings based on case circumstances to ensure fair treatment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con Harborough
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP asks about steps taken by the Department to increase the use of video and audio in conducting court proceedings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Question

What steps is his Department taking to increase the use of video and audio to conduct court proceedings during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Chris Philp (Minister for Policing and the Criminal Justice)

The increased use of video and audio is a critical component of our response. Over eight weeks, daily remote hearings have risen to about 4,000 per day, ten times more than pre-coronavirus levels. About 90% of all hearings are now conducted remotely.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Jones Con Harborough
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP inquires about the long-term use of remote technologies and their role in delivering efficiency, access, and timely disposal of justice.

Question

Will my hon. Friend consider measures brought in during this emergency to be part of the long-term future for delivering efficiency, access, and a timely disposal of justice?

Answer from Chris Philp (Minister for Policing and the Criminal Justice)

My hon. Friend is right; we are rolling out the cloud video platform to enable remote court proceedings, which will be fully rolled out in Crown courts and magistrates' courts by the end of June.

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Q3 Alex Cunningham Lab Stockton North
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP asks about the assessment made by the Minister regarding the impact of remote hearings on justice delivery, specifically addressing concerns over halted cases and severity of sentences.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of the effect of these things on people's lives, and will he agree to publish the number of cases simply opened and adjourned?

Answer from Chris Philp (Minister for Policing and the Criminal Justice)

Data on court listings and hearings is regularly published. Judges must ensure justice is served by a remote or in-person hearing, with decisions based on case circumstances. Fair treatment of defendants, witnesses, and victims remains paramount.

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