Virtual and hybrid court hearings - a podcast by Frances Ridout, Kerry Jarred, Simon Reichwald, Nigel Spencer

When the pandemic struck in March 2020 the court system in England and Wales had to adjust - and quickly.  Adaptations included making some hearings virtual, ensuring other face-to-face hearings could be made ‘Covid secure’, and introducing ‘hybrid’ models which uses elements of both approaches. 

This episode welcomes Her Honour Judge Sarah Cove, a Circuit Judge in the Family Court, and Rudi Fortson QC, a criminal barrister at 25 Bedford Row, to discuss what changes were made and which adaptations might remain in the future.  They discuss which types of hearings are more suited to virtual court hearings and the advantages and disadvantages of technology in court rooms.   

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode.

-       Take a look through the Nuffield Report which reflects on the experiences of court users in the family law, discussed by Her Honour Judge Cove. https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/app/nuffield/files-module/local/documents/remote_hearings_sept_2020.pdf

-       After listening to the podcast, discuss with a friend / class mate which skills might be needed in the future, especially if more technology is used into the courtroom. 

-       Tune into the Supreme Court website to watch a live remote court hearing. If you are listening to this after the pandemic, watch a court hearing in person and see what tech you can see being engaged: https://www.supremecourt.uk/ 

Useful resources

-       The Nuffield Report referred to by Her Honour Judge Cove in the episode.  https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/resource/remote-hearings-rapid-consultation

-       A follow up to the Nuffield Report above: https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk/resource/remote-hearings-september-2020#:~:text=In%20light%20of%20this%20significant,well%20over%201%2C000%20people%20responded. 

-       Yes we can. Remote Justice. The New Norm? by Jane Colston and Ravinder Thukral:  http://www.brownrudnick.com/alert/yes-we-can-remote-justice-the-new-normal/

-       An anonymous post written by a Circuit Judge in the Family Court on remote justice: http://www.transparencyproject.org.uk/remote-justice-a-judges-perspective/ 

Further episodes of Reimagine Law

Further podcasts by Frances Ridout, Kerry Jarred, Simon Reichwald, Nigel Spencer

Website of Frances Ridout, Kerry Jarred, Simon Reichwald, Nigel Spencer