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TV cameras to be allowed into Court of Appeal TV cameras to be allowed into Court of Appeal
(about 9 hours later)
TV cameras are to be allowed to record proceedings in one of the highest courts in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has announced.TV cameras are to be allowed to record proceedings in one of the highest courts in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has announced.
Filming will be allowed at the Court of Appeal for the first time from Thursday following a partial lifting of the long-standing ban on cameras in court.Filming will be allowed at the Court of Appeal for the first time from Thursday following a partial lifting of the long-standing ban on cameras in court.
Senior judges and major broadcasters welcomed the move, which the head of BBC News said was a "landmark moment".Senior judges and major broadcasters welcomed the move, which the head of BBC News said was a "landmark moment".
Cameras may eventually be allowed in crown courts and magistrates' courts. Cameras are not yet allowed in crown courts and magistrates' courts.
Camera points are being made available in five courtrooms at the Royal Courts of Justice in London after years of campaigning by the BBC, ITN, Press Association and Sky News.Camera points are being made available in five courtrooms at the Royal Courts of Justice in London after years of campaigning by the BBC, ITN, Press Association and Sky News.
Filming has been banned in courts - with the exception of the UK Supreme Court - since the Criminal Justice Act 1925.Filming has been banned in courts - with the exception of the UK Supreme Court - since the Criminal Justice Act 1925.
Lawyers' arguments and judges' comments will be allowed to be shown - but defendants, witnesses and victims will not. Only one courtroom will be covered a day.Lawyers' arguments and judges' comments will be allowed to be shown - but defendants, witnesses and victims will not. Only one courtroom will be covered a day.
The most senior judge in England and Wales, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, said: "My fellow judges and I welcome the start of broadcasting from the Court of Appeal.The most senior judge in England and Wales, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, said: "My fellow judges and I welcome the start of broadcasting from the Court of Appeal.
"The Court of Appeal has, of course, been open to the public and to journalists for a long time."The Court of Appeal has, of course, been open to the public and to journalists for a long time.
"The change in the law which is now coming into force will permit the recording and broadcasting of the proceedings of the Court of Appeal."The change in the law which is now coming into force will permit the recording and broadcasting of the proceedings of the Court of Appeal.
"This will help a wider audience to understand and see for themselves how the Court of Appeal goes about its work.""This will help a wider audience to understand and see for themselves how the Court of Appeal goes about its work."
Safeguards, including a time-delay system operated by a specialist video journalist, will be in place to protect normal court restrictions - such as contempt of court - and broadcasting regulations.Safeguards, including a time-delay system operated by a specialist video journalist, will be in place to protect normal court restrictions - such as contempt of court - and broadcasting regulations.
In cases of appeals against conviction where there could eventually be a re-trial, the footage would only be aired once the case was concluded.In cases of appeals against conviction where there could eventually be a re-trial, the footage would only be aired once the case was concluded.
BBC director of news and current affairs James Harding said: "This is a landmark moment for justice and journalism.BBC director of news and current affairs James Harding said: "This is a landmark moment for justice and journalism.
"It is a significant step on the way to helping millions of viewers gain a greater understanding of how our judicial system works.""It is a significant step on the way to helping millions of viewers gain a greater understanding of how our judicial system works."
BBC deputy director of news Fran Unsworth added: "We've made our cameras very discreet. There's not a great fandango about all this, and I do think in the 21st century it's a bit anachronistic not to be able to show things on television."
ITN chief executive John Hardie said filming in courts would be "for the benefit of open justice and democracy".ITN chief executive John Hardie said filming in courts would be "for the benefit of open justice and democracy".
John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: "Seeing justice being done will no longer be restricted to those members of the public who have the opportunity and time to go to court."John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: "Seeing justice being done will no longer be restricted to those members of the public who have the opportunity and time to go to court."
Press Association chief executive Clive Marshall said the move was a "significant moment in news reporting".Press Association chief executive Clive Marshall said the move was a "significant moment in news reporting".
Footage can be used for news and current affairs but not in other contexts such as comedy, entertainment or advertising.Footage can be used for news and current affairs but not in other contexts such as comedy, entertainment or advertising.
Courts minister Shailesh Vara said: "We are clear that justice must be seen to be done and people will now have the opportunity to see that process with their own eyes." Courts minister Shailesh Vara told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was a "landmark moment" for the justice system.
"We are trying to ensure there is a balance, so the public can see what is happening, and that will be restricted to what the lawyers put forward and what the judge has to say.
"But on the other hand, we want to ensure that people are not intimidated and understand the justice system and are happy to come forward."
However, Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy QC said she was worried the development could undermine respect for the judicial system.However, Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy QC said she was worried the development could undermine respect for the judicial system.
She said: "What I'm concerned about is something much more fragile, which is our liberty as citizens in this country that the legal system should be taken seriously.She said: "What I'm concerned about is something much more fragile, which is our liberty as citizens in this country that the legal system should be taken seriously.
"There should be some awe about it and it shouldn't be turned into entertainment for the masses and I don't trust the editors.""There should be some awe about it and it shouldn't be turned into entertainment for the masses and I don't trust the editors."
In Scotland, broadcasters have been able to apply to televise court proceedings since 1992 but this rarely happens.In Scotland, broadcasters have been able to apply to televise court proceedings since 1992 but this rarely happens.
Scotland's most senior judge, Lord Gill, has announced the policy will be reviewed to take account of changes in technology.Scotland's most senior judge, Lord Gill, has announced the policy will be reviewed to take account of changes in technology.