EditorSolicitors Journal

COVID-19 emergency laws to trigger virtual courts

COVID-19 emergency laws to trigger virtual courts

Emergency legislation which would facilitate the acceleration of virtual courts in some cases could be brought forward as the coronavirus situation worsens.

The government is still working on its COVID-19 Emergency Bill which will set out measures to expand live audio and video links in some court proceedings, to avoid further delays in the justice process.

Proceedings that could benefit from the measures include certain civil proceedings before magistrates as well as in various criminal proceedings, though no further details are available. 

The upcoming bill forms part of the government’s enhanced approach to pandemic preparation but has not yet been published.

However, government says the measures under consideration will ensure individuals, who may be forced to self-isolate, “are still able to appeal to a court, while ensuring courts can continue to operate even in the height of an epidemic so that justice is delivered”.

It is not yet known when the emergency measures will be brought into effect. 

However, Anna Bradshaw, partner at Peters & Peters, warns that all emergency legislation carries risk: “The risk of expanding executive powers without sufficient legislative and judicial safeguards and scrutiny, the risk that untested measures will produce unintended consequences and disproportionate interference with individual rights, and the risk that temporary responses become permanent.  

“It is essential that the administration of justice continues to the fullest extent possible, but equally essential that the proposals are properly scrutinised with these risks in mind.”

Meanwhile, HM Courts and Tribunals Service has edited its security policy as far as liquids are concerned. 

While “liquids that are not drinks or prescription medicine” remain on the list of what is not allowed into court and tribunal buildings, the policy now states that hand sanitiser can be brought in, but individuals “will be asked to use it in front of security staff to prove it’s not harmful”.
 

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
Latest News

Attorney General presents UK intervention in Ukraine case against Russia at International Court of Justice

Thu Sep 21 2023

Firms losing potential clients by failing to return their calls, research shows

Thu Sep 21 2023

Powers of attorney modernised as legislation allows CILEX Lawyers to certify LPA copies for the first time

Thu Sep 21 2023

Stark contrast between Government response to Post Office Horizon victims and Infected Blood

Wed Sep 20 2023

ACSO comments on the Justice select Committee report:

Wed Sep 20 2023

Campaigners win permission to appeal against Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station ruling

Tue Sep 19 2023

Pre-inquest review into the deaths of Reading murder victims, James Furlong, Dr David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett

Mon Sep 18 2023

Feedback launches legal challenge to decision not to require food waste reporting

Fri Sep 15 2023

Failed whiplash reforms have created a ‘clear justice gap’

Thu Sep 14 2023
FeaturedThe Chancery Lane Project expands to the USA
The Chancery Lane Project expands to the USA
Lessons in leadership from the front line
Lessons in leadership from the front line
Birdnesting and mortgages in divorce
Birdnesting and mortgages in divorce
Delay in Final Report of the Infected Blood InquirySJ Interview: Chris Benson
SJ Interview: Chris Benson
Whose human rights are more important, yours or mine?
Whose human rights are more important, yours or mine?