The Lady Chief Justice has issued new guidance on use of live video links in criminal courts that will be implemented by 1 October 2026. Judges regularly allow defendants, witnesses and others to join a court using video or audio technology from a location outside the courtroom. New guidance published today introduces a clear national framework to support effective and consistent use of remote participation in criminal proceedings.
The new guidance supports access to justice by enabling some court users to attend court remotely where it helps them take part effectively or where it is most efficient use of court time and resources. It sets out when certain types of hearings should be conducted remotely and when attendance in person will generally be required, while maintaining judicial discretion in the interests of justice.
The guidance applies to the Crown Court and magistrates’ courts.
The publication of this guidance for the criminal courts is the culmination of the cross-jurisdictional review of the use of remote participation in proceedings which has been undertaken by the judiciary under the leadership of the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge, Lady Justice Yip, and supported by the Judicial Office. You can read more about the background of the Review and can find the updated guidance for the Civil, Family and Tribunal jurisdictions here.
The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill said:
“Remote participation in court is an established and important part of proceedings across jurisdictions.
“New guidance contributes to making the justice system more accessible and efficient by increasing the appropriate use of remote participation. It should help cases move through the courts more quickly, reduce unnecessary travel and delay, and help to reduce backlogs, while maintaining open justice, judicial discretion and the fairness of proceedings.
“I would like to thank Lady Justice Yip for leading this important review. Her work, informed by extensive consultation across jurisdictions, has resulted in clear and practical guidance that will support the effective administration of justice.”
Practice Direction on Listing in the Criminal Courts
The Lady Chief Justice has also issued a new Practice Direction on Listing in the Criminal Courts, which introduces for the first time, a judiciary-led National Listing Framework for Crown Court cases. The core objective of the new Practice Direction is to ensure that cases are prioritised for a hearing or trial with proper regard to the human impact of delay for participants, and the fair and efficient use of judicial and court resources.
Remote Participation and Criminal Listing: New guidance for the Criminal Courts
