Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted
Paragraph: 109
New legislative framework enhances open justice through remote court observation
Conclusion
We welcome the new legislative framework for remote observation of court proceedings. The combination of this framework and improvement of the technological facilities of courts has the potential to enhance open justice by making it easier for the public and the media to observe proceedings.
Government Response Summary
In response to the welcomed legislative framework for remote observation, the MoJ commits to undertaking a qualitative review in 2023, engaging with the HMCTS Media Working Group, and including the framework in a public call for evidence to understand its impact.
Paragraph Reference:
109
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
In 2023, the MoJ will undertake a light-touch qualitative review with court and tribunal staff and the judiciary to understand the impact of remote observation on our services. We will complement this by working with HMCTS’ Media Working Group (MWG) to understand whether remote observation has supported court reporting and the wider media, and tease out any teething problems encountered as the legislation beds in. Finally, we will include the remote observation framework in our call for evidence to, to be launched in 2023, to ensure the wider public can also contribute. Depending on the volume and quality of this feedback we will consider publishing our findings and/or writing to the JSC with an update.