More work needed to support open justice

Those regional titles that remain are no longer able to send reporters to court on a regular basis, the Justice Committee highlighted in a report published this week, ‘Open justice: court reporting in the digital age’. It heard evidence that the quality of publicly available information can often be poor and basic data about court proceedings unavailable. The committee also heard complaints about a lack of access to key documents submitted to courts making it difficult to follow proceedings. 

Consequently, the committee urged the court system to do more to support open justice in the digital age. It called on courts to remove barriers to the media and members of the public attending court proceedings, and urged the government to do more to support digital platforms to cover court decisions.

The committee called for the creation of a single, digital portal where the media and public can access full information on court proceedings, court documents and other relevant information. It urged that every court have a publicised point of contact that supports access, provides information and answers queries. Holding open days would also send a message about open justice, it said.

Moreover, new technologies offer new opportunities—remote proceedings could make courts more accessible for reporters; social media supports instant reporting and live updates; and the broadcasting of sentencing remarks could be extended from Crown courts to other courts.

The committee also called for greater transparency in family courts, and branded the legislative framework on reporting on family proceedings no longer fit for purpose and in need of review and reform.

Justice Committee chair Sir Bob Neill said: ‘Too often, significant patience and tenacity is required to access court proceedings that it is our democratic right to witness.

‘The Courts & Tribunal Service needs to do more [to] remove barriers to the media and public coming to court rooms, not just by doing more to publicise information but actually welcoming them in and showing how the justice system works.’