Leeds Crown Court Tech Allows Justice to be Served

Leeds Crown Court uses video technology for remote criminal hearings during lockdown.

07:41 06 May 2020

Leeds Crown Court is now using video technology to continue hearing cases despite the nationwide lockdown. It uses a new secure system to hear a variety of cases but jury trials remain suspended. 

 

The move to use virtual technology comes after the most senior judge in England and Wales said that virtual proceedings and smaller juries may be necessary if jury trials are to resume post-lockdown. 

 

Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett said "radical measures" would need to be looked at, but he would support moves to ensure trials were carried out safely. 

 

The HM Courts and Tribunal Service is now expanding the technology to other courts. It assured the public that all parties in a criminal hearing will be able to take part remotely and that all magistrate and crown courts in England and Wales can hold secure hearings. However, it leaves to the judge to decide on a case-by-case basis whether the technology is appropriate to use. 

 

Courts minister Chris Philp said: "It is essential that justice continues to be served in these difficult times and this new platform will help equip courts across England and Wales with secure and robust video technology to enable them to carry out more of their vital work.

 

"We have already seen a huge rise in the number of cases being heard remotely, and this innovation will ensure the wheels of justice continue to run."