Broadcaster ITN’s legal chief has hailed TV cameras in the Crown court a success a year after Old Bailey sentencing remarks were broadcast on TV for the first time.
On this day last year, the BBC and Sky News showed Her Honour Judge Sarah Munro KC deliver sentencing remarks in the case of Ben Oliver, who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his grandfather in South London.
Since then, broadcasters have filmed the sentencing of another 33 offenders, including former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens.
John Battle, ITN’s legal chief and chair of the broadcast group filming proceedings, said: ‘Filming of sentence has been a great success and has swiftly become the norm. It has brought public engagement with the justice system to a whole new level. For many it will have been the first time they have seen inside the Crown court and sentencing process.’
Under the Crown Court (Recording and Broadcasting) Order 2020, broadcasters may film High Court and senior circuit judges sitting in the Crown court. Broadcasters must still apply to film the sentencing remarks and the judge will decide whether to grant the request. To protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors, only the judge must be visible in the broadcast.
The ministry said parliament is currently debating whether to expand filming to cover the sentencing remarks of Court of Appeal judges.
The Gazette was told current legislation is being amended. A statutory instrument was laid on 17 July and currently going through debate stages in parliament. The change comes under amendments to the Criminal Justice Act 1925 and section 9 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The SI provides exceptions to this prohibition, including allowing photos to be taken at adoption ceremonies and adding Court of Appeal judges to the list of judges able to be recorded and have their sentencing remarks broadcast.
The Ministry of Justice is also consulting on opening up the courts more, asking if all open court hearings should allow for livestreaming and remote observation.
