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Select Committee · Justice Committee

Open justice: court reporting in the digital age

Status: Closed Opened: 17 Sep 2021 Closed: 14 Sep 2023 13 recommendations 32 conclusions 1 report

This short inquiry sought to understand how digital technology has affected the way that the media and the public access and report on the courts. Read the call for evidence to find out more about this inquiry .

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Open justice: court reporting in the digital… HC 339 1 Nov 2022 45 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
14 Conclusion Fifth Report - Open justice: court repo… Deferred

Lack of coherence and consistency in remote hearing access for public and media.

Remote hearings are still a relatively new and innovative feature of the justice system in England and Wales. The evidence to our inquiry suggests that there is a problem with a lack of coherence and consistency in relation to the ability of the media and the public to access remote …

Government response. The MoJ will undertake a qualitative review, work with HMCTS’ Media Working Group, and include remote observation in a call for evidence in 2023 to understand its impact and gather feedback, before considering further action.
Ministry of Justice
19 Conclusion Fifth Report - Open justice: court repo… Deferred

Committee awaits update on Civil Procedure Rule Committee's work to improve document access.

The Committee would welcome an update on the work being undertaken by the Civil Procedure Rule Committee to improve access to documents in civil proceedings.

Government response. The government redirected to its response to JSC3 (paragraphs 29 to 31) for an update on the Civil Procedure Rule Committee's work to improve access to documents.
Ministry of Justice
21 Conclusion Fifth Report - Open justice: court repo… Deferred

Comprehensive review of access to open court documents and potential legislation required.

The Government and HMCTS should conduct, or ask the Law Commission to conduct, a comprehensive review on access to documents referred to in open court and propose legislation if necessary to clarify the position.

Government response. The government stated it plans to consult on access to documents referred to in open court via a call for evidence and will consider feedback before making any future decisions, rather than committing to a comprehensive review or proposing legislation.
Ministry of Justice
34 Conclusion Fifth Report - Open justice: court repo… Deferred

Broadcasting Crown Court sentencing remarks positively enhances open justice and public understanding.

We welcome the broadcasting of Crown Court sentencing remarks. It is a positive step for both open justice and the public understanding of sentencing.

Government response. The government states it will carefully monitor the impact of the broadcasting changes introduced in summer 2022, and may use a call for evidence to gather views on expanding the current broadcasting regime before deciding on further interventions.
Ministry of Justice