Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Britain to end ban on video in courts

Plans to allow television cameras into courts in England and Wales are to be announced in the Queen's Speech in May, the BBC reports.
British Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said last year he would end the video ban to boost public understanding of justice.
Cameras are only expected to be able to record the judge's summing up and sentencing in serious criminal trials.
The Ministry of Justice would say only that it planned to introduce the change "as soon as parliamentary time allows".
Video recording is currently banned in all courts in England Wales - except the Supreme Court - by two Acts of Parliament, meaning new legislation is required to allow cameras in.
There is no similar ban in Scotland - but all parties must agree before cases can be broadcast.
The most important case to be televised to date was the appeal by Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, who was tried under Scottish law in a special court in The Netherlands.

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