Cameras to be allowed into courts to record sentencing
CAMERAS will be allowed to film inside crown courts in Wales for the first time in a century after a major change to the law. Footage of judges delivering their sentencing remarks in some criminal courts can be broadcast on television and online.
Some of the most high profile courts in Wales and England will be included in the scheme which the Ministry of Justice said will allow members of the public to hear judge explain the reasons behind their sentences.
The first broadcast case took place at the Old Bailey in London.
Only the judge will be filmed during broadcasts in order to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors. Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said: “Opening up the courtroom to cameras to film the sentencing of some the country’s most serious offenders will improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system.
“The public will now be able to see justice handed down, helping them understand better the complex decisions judges make.”
The courts in Wales where filming would potentially be allowed to take place include; Cardiff Crown Court, Swansea Crown Court, Newport Crown Court, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, Mold Crown Court, Caernarfon Crown Court.
Previously, the only courts in Wales and England which allowed cameras to film parts of proceedings was the Court of Appeal.
It will be ultimately up to the sentencing judge for each case whether filming will be allowed.
John Battle, head of legal and compliance at ITN, and chairman of the Media Lawyers Association said: “This is a landmark moment for open justice.
“This reform reflects the public’s right to see justice being done in their courts.
“It will promote better public understanding of the work of the courts and greater transparency in the justice system.
“Court reporting is vital to democracy and the rule of law and this long overdue change is welcomed.”
Recordings of each case where sentencing remarks have been filmed will be hosted on a dedicated YouTube channel.
Footage will be subject to a 10 second delay when broadcasting live to avoid a breach of reporting restrictions or errors.
The news has had a mixed response among members of the criminal bar, who are currently involved in strike action due to the UK Government’s proposals on criminal legal aid and have adopted a “no returns” policy
aimed at uplifting rates by 25%. Court security staff have also voted to go on strike in a pay dispute.
Barrister Chris Moran wrote on Twitter: “Genius. The public get to see cases adjourned due to the defendant not being brought from prison, the interpreter hasn’t arrived or (because there are so few of us left) one of the advocates can’t attend as stuck in another case (which was probably delayed for similar reasons).”
Crime Girl, a barrister who writes anonymously on Twitter, said: “At a time when; barristers have been taking industrial action and refusing to work since April; our own court security guards are going on strike.
“This sort of inane twittering only goes to highlight how lost you are. What will they watch? Tumbleweed?”
Lawyer Chris Daw QC wrote: “We need to go beyond just sentencing and open up Crown Court trials to the cameras, so that the public can see how justice is carried out in this country, including the catastrophic impact of underfunding.”
Court reporting is vital to democracy and the rule of law and this long overdue change is welcomed
John Battle of ITN