Video appearances by defendants certainly save time and money, but there’s little doubt that they tend to detract from the majesty of in-person proceedings. On a visit to Wood Green Crown Court in north London this week, Obiter witnessed a couple of preliminary hearings that would have degenerated into one-to-one Zoom chats were it not for firm judicial handling.

Of course, the lack of defence counsel caused by the Criminal Bar Association’s ongoing action over legal aid rates did not help matters. Only one defendant showed any interest in the dispute, possibly sensing an opportunity for a bail application.

‘Can I ask, are they on strike today?’ he enquired of His Honour Judge Karim Ezzat. On being told ‘They are at the moment, yes,’ he tried to attempt what sounded like the opening moves of a plea-bargain – to be firmly but politely rebuffed.

Earlier, the same defendant seemed to struggle with the technology at his end. ‘Can I see who I’m speaking to?’ he asked. ‘You’re speaking to the judge. I’m the one in the red sash,’ Ezzat replied.

If remote appearances are the way of the future, something clearly needs to be done to emphasise the solemnity of the occasion. One answer might lie in virtual reality technology to replicate the physical court experience in prison.

But a cheaper solution might be to finally admit defeat and issue England and Wales judges with gavels to bang when the informality goes too far.

 

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