Remote hearings to unlock capacity and speed up justice for victims
Victims will see cases heard sooner under a new pilot that could transform court capacity by allowing cases to be heard by judges hundreds of miles away.
- Victims to receive faster and fairer justice as trailblazing tech helps reallocate resource
- Technology will allow judges to hear cases hundreds of miles away
- Part of Government’s efforts to modernise courts and tackle the backlog
The transformative technology has been deployed to allow court cases to be transferred digitally to judges anywhere in the country, helping redistribute resources, target courts bogged down by growing backlogs and spare victims the pain of devastating delays.
Pioneered in London and the North-East, remote hearings bring together judges, defendants, lawyers, court staff and witnesses from across the country, allowing hearings to take place without the need for everyone to attend court in person.
Cases conducted using this technology uphold the fundamental principles of fairness, access to justice and open justice, supported by robust safeguards throughout hearings. Participants will always have the right to apply to the judge for a face-to-face hearing.
Courts Minister, Sarah Sackman KC MP said:
The criminal justice system we inherited was on the brink of collapse. Hearings were cancelled at the last minute and victims have faced unacceptable delays. We are pulling every lever to change this and deliver justice for victims.
This transformational pilot harnesses the power of technology to connect courts across the country, making better use of resources and changing how justice is delivered for victims.
This pioneering work marks another step towards building a more efficient, resilient and modern justice system that delivers for victims across the country.
With tens of thousands of remote and hybrid hearings already taking place across England and Wales every month, the reforms mark a major step towards a more modern court system that’s fit for a digital age.
The pilot has been rolled out in line with the Lady Chief Justice’s latest guidance, with future expansion subject to evaluation and judicial approval.
Leading the way in technological transformation, the Ministry of Justice is continuing to invest in video technology, making remote hearings more accessible and improving support for vulnerable witnesses.
New arrangements have also been agreed with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Crown Prosecution Service to expand the use of live video links for police witness evidence, making better use of valuable policing resources.
The expansion coincides with the Courts and Tribunals Bill returns to Parliament on Tuesday, where the Government will amend the Bill to remove proposals to limit jury trials, ensuring almost all Crown Court cases continue to be heard by a jury.