Television crews will be allowed into Crown courts to broadcast judges’ sentencing remarks under draft legislation.
The Crown Court (Recording and Broadcasting) Order 2020 will permit the sentencing remarks of High Court and senior circuit judges in certain criminal cases to be filmed and broadcast to the public.
Judges will have the power to stop or prevent TV broadcasts of their sentencing remarks – with no right of appeal if broadcasters are unhappy with their decision. Further details of how the broadcasts would work in practice emerged yesterday as orders to allow them were debated – and approved – in the House of Lords.
Addressing peers, Justice Minister Lord Keen of Elie (Richard Keen QC) sought to assuage concerns about judges playing up to the cameras and insisted those on the bench would have the final say over what can and cannot be filmed.
Read more at Law Society Gazette
