- New video technology to support remote hearings in
criminal courts
- Secure system can be accessed by a wide range of
devices
- First phase of new video platform to be rolled out to
more than 100 courts
HMCTS is bringing in a new video platform to enable all
parties in a criminal hearing to take part remotely –
allowing all magistrate and crown courts in England and
Wales to hold secure hearings, making it easier to make
sure justice continues to be served.
Most criminal cases are heard in magistrate courts and this
technology – available for cases such as remand, custody
time limit, and sentencing hearings – will help move people
through the criminal justice system in these unprecedented
times.
This technology will not be used for jury trials, and a
judge will decide whether it is appropriate to use in any
other hearing on a case-by-case basis. In addition, no
defendant is appearing from their own home and sentencing
is not taking place unless the defendant is in custody or
physically present in the courtroom. If physically present
and sentenced to custody, this will be dealt with in the
usual way.
If people are unwell and can’t come to court for a hearing,
they must contact the court for that hearing to be
rearranged.
Thanks to dedicated HMCTS staff, courts continue to
prioritise all hearings relating to custody, detention and
bail, and urgent applications for matters such as domestic
violence, and statistics released today show that 90% of
all cases since 14th April have been held remotely to
ensure the vulnerable are protected.
Courts Minister , 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.
I am extremely impressed at the way all those within the
justice system have adapted so well to the unprecedented
challenges we face
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 turn.
His Honour Judge Guy Kearl QC, Senior Circuit Judge at
Leeds Crown Court, said:
In times of uncertainty, confirmation that the rule of
law endures and justice will be served is a source of
profound reassurance to us all.
This secure video conferencing technology is versatile
and provides the functions essential to deliver a range
of criminal hearings: I am delighted to be involved in
its successful introduction.
The Kinly Cloud Video Platform (CVP) is initially being
rolled out to 60 magistrates’ courts and 48 crown courts
currently open to the public, with others to follow as soon
as possible. It is also being introduced to the Civil and
Family courts.
CVP connects securely to the existing justice video network
which links police stations and prisons to courts, and can
be accessed by any internet-enabled device with a camera
and a microphone.
Magistrates’ courts in London, the South-East, the
South-West and the Midlands have already begun using CVP,
with the first going live earlier this month.
It has also been introduced in Crown Courts in Leeds,
Sheffield, Newcastle and Hull, with more courts in the
South-East set to go live. The aim is for 16 magistrates’
courts and nine crown courts to have access to CVP by the
end of next week.
So far, HMCTS has run 412 remand hearings using CVP,
brought on line 26 police custody suites, and connected 95
advocates, 42 Crown prosecutors, 20 Probation officers and
two translators.
Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar Council, said:
We must keep the justice system going in the public
interest. Barristers, along with the judiciary, court
staff and many others, are determined to adapt quickly to
delivering justice during Covid-19, including delivering
it remotely. The new CVP platform is crucial to these
efforts, enabling more cases to be heard without everyone
having to gather in a physical courtroom. We have heard
positive feedback from barristers involved in hearings
where CVP has already been used. I am keen to see it
rolled out widely to try and ensure that as far as
possible, effective justice is delivered, not delayed.
DCC Tony Blaker from Kent Police and National Police
Chief’s Council lead for Courts, said:
Policing is adopting this innovative technology and
building on our existing partnership with HMCTS; helping
to protect the public and people working in criminal
justice agencies. By holding court hearings remotely
during this crisis, we can help to reduce the spread of
the virus and ensure that the Criminal Justice System
continues to operate effectively. We are working at pace
with our partners to increase the use of technology,
providing continued benefit to the public and keeping
people safe.
Notes to editors
- This technology will not be used for jury trials, and a
judge will decide whether it is appropriate to use in any
other hearing on a case-by-case basis
- Many hearings continue to be conducted by judges
sitting in court and the aim is to re-open courts which
have been temporarily suspended as soon as practicable
- Connection to a hearing is easy and straightforward:
participants simply click on a link in an email invitation
or in the Crown court digital case system to join
- Audio and video technology has long played a role in
courts and tribunals, and HMCTS has significant experience
in this field. Many courts, custody suites and prisons are
already connected to the secure Justice Video Service (JVS)
network, which enables communication between fixed end
points
- The use of audio and video technology in court hearings
has rapidly increased in response to the Covid-19 emergency
- To enable the criminal justice system to operate safely
and flexibly during the pandemic, the Coronavirus Act
2020 has provided for the use of video within
the criminal jurisdiction. The use of video hearings
remains always subject to judicial discretion. Video is
not being used to run jury trials
- On 24 April 2020, courts and tribunals reported that
the estimated use of audio in hearings increased to around
2,800 a day. Currently around 90% of cases in England and
Wales have used audio and video technology to some extent
-
Guidance on how to
connect to a criminal hearing using CVP is
available on GOV.UK, and we plan to publish short videos
demonstrating how to access the system. There is also a
helpline number offering technical support to
participants in hearings: 0330 808 9405
- Over the coming months we will continuously improve our
approach to the use of audio-video alternatives during the
coronavirus outbreak
