Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Deferred
Importance of system-wide coordination for technology use in magistrates' courts.
Conclusion
The use of video remand hearings in magistrates courts highlights the importance of coordination across the criminal justice system on the use technology within the criminal courts. In the long-term, the MoJ should use research on remote hearings, such as the Evaluation of remote hearings during the Covid-19 pandemic, to develop guidance and policies on when video hearings should be used in the magistrates’ courts. (Paragraph 78) 46 Court Capacity Judicial capacity in the magistrates’ courts
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response focused on general efforts to improve timeliness in civil and family courts, including a £324 million investment over three years, but did not commit to developing specific guidance on video hearings in magistrates' courts based on research.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
We have committed to evaluating the impact of remote hearings as part of HMCTS’ Reform program and will take the learning and evaluation flowing from the use remote hearings during the Pandemic to help inform both remote hearing policy and how best video can be utilised across the criminal justice system. The Criminal Courts—Judicial capacity in the magistrates’ courts
Read the full response on Parliament ↗