Improving the criminal justice process for victims and witnesses
Have you ever stopped to consider what the criminal justice system looks like through the eyes of a victim? Or a witness?
Crime
Overcoming delivery challenges with Common Platform
Posted by:
Paula Potter, Posted on:
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Categories:
Court and tribunal reform, Crime, Digital services
Common Platform is the case management system being implemented in our criminal courts. It’s at the heart of our large-scale plans to reform the justice system.
The value and purpose of the fully remote court
Lisa Shotton, HMCTS Head of Crime (north east), shares the details and benefits of a fully remote court.
Proving disability is no barrier to jury service at Portsmouth Crown Court
Eve Miller discusses how we make sure our services are accessible for everyone and shares the feedback recently provided by a juror.
Exploring misconceptions about the Single Justice Procedure
More convenient, simpler and less-resource heavy – the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) has many advantages for defendants who wish to plead guilty to minor offences and those processing their case. But some have criticised the process. Here Sian Jones, HMCTS Head of Legal and Professional Services, addresses some common misconceptions.
Explaining the Single Justice Procedure in the magistrates’ court
535,000 cases were heard by magistrates via the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) in 2020. It's an accessible, proportionate, effective and more efficient way – for both the defendant and the courts – to hear less serious cases that will not …
Super courtrooms spearhead good multi-hander progress
The Manchester super courtroom – which opened its doors at the Crown Court last month – got underway with its first large trial last week, as HMCTS passed another significant milestone in recovering our ability to hear ‘multi-hander’ trials.
How tech solutions helped hear a complex murder trial
Posted by:
Laura Connor, Posted on:
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Categories:
Court and tribunal reform, Crime, Digital services
Fitting together all the pieces when hearing a murder trial is always challenging for the Crown Court. Add in multiple defendants and the impact of essential safety measures, and the picture becomes even more complicated. Laura Connor outlines helped hear a complex trial in this blog.
How the courts help tackle knife crime
Jasmine Norton highlights how HMCTS prepared for the implementation of new orders being piloted in London from July 2021 and looks at the context of the work within a wider policy perspective.
Going further to support intimidated witnesses
Witnesses may face difficulty when required to present evidence at trial. After a successful pilot of special measures to protect vulnerable witnesses, HMCTS is rolling out section 28 across England and Wales to allow witnesses to pre-record their cross examination and preserve the course of justice.