From today (Monday 6 October 2025), changes to the Criminal
Procedure Rules reinforce open justice by explicitly stating
parties who apply for discretionary reporting restrictions in
criminal cases, should notify the media of applications.
The updated
Rules clarify that the responsibility for notification lies
with the applicant, ensuring that journalists are informed and
able to challenge reporting restrictions order applications where
appropriate.
This formal recognition of the media as interested parties aims
to prevent unjustified limits on Crown and magistrates' Court
reporting and improve transparency across the justice system. The
changes follow collaborative work between the Criminal Procedure
Rule Committee and media organisations including the Media
Lawyers Association and News Media Association, with support from
HMCTS' Media Working Group.
The shared goal has been to ensure the Rules reflect the media's
vital role in holding the justice system to account.
Georgia Jerram, Chair of HMCTS' Media Working Group, said:
As a society, we often rely on the media to be our eyes and ears
in courtrooms. When journalists aren't given clear and timely
information about requests to the court for a reporting
restriction, they are denied the opportunity to make a challenge.
These changes will help ensure that open justice is not
undermined in this way.
The requirement applies to discretionary reporting restrictions,
such as those protecting vulnerable witnesses or ensuring fair
trials and does not affect automatic restrictions (which
are imposed by legislation and the court has no power to vary or
remove) already in place for youth cases and certain offences.
You can read the updated Criminal Procedure Rules or find out
more about
this work in a recent Inside HMCTS blog.
