CORONAVIRUS UPDATE FROM THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE: THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE SHOULD NOT GRIND TO A HALT

The update, issued yesterday is available here. 

KEY POINTS

“It is not realistic to suppose that it will be business as usual in any jurisdiction, but it is of vital importance that the administration of justice does not grind to a halt.”

“Given the rapidly evolving situation, there is an urgent need to increase the use of telephone and video technology immediately to hold remote hearings where possible. Emergency legislation is being drafted which is likely to contain clauses that expand the powers in criminal courts to use technology in a wider range of hearings. The Civil Procedure Rules and Family Procedure Rules provide for considerable flexibility.”