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New guidance sets a national framework for remote participation in criminal court proceedings
The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, has issued new statutory guidance on the use of live links in criminal courts, introducing a national framework for remote participation across the criminal justice system. The guidance comes into effect on 1 October 2026 and applies to both the Crown Court and magistrates’ courts.
The new guidance provides a consistent approach to the use of live video and audio links in criminal proceedings. It is intended to support judges in deciding when remote participation is appropriate while preserving judicial discretion to determine what is in the interests of justice. The framework identifies the types of hearings that should ordinarily take place remotely and those where attendance in person will generally be expected.
According to the judiciary, the guidance is designed to improve access to justice by allowing some court users to participate remotely where doing so helps them engage effectively in proceedings or makes more efficient use of court time and resources. It also aims to reduce unnecessary travel and delays while supporting the fair administration of justice.
The guidance follows a cross-jurisdictional review of remote participation in court proceedings led by Lady Justice Yip, Deputy Senior Presiding Judge, with support from the Judicial Office. The review examined how remote participation could be used consistently across jurisdictions while maintaining fairness, open justice and effective case management. Updated guidance for the civil, family and tribunal jurisdictions was published earlier this year, with the criminal courts guidance completing the review.
In announcing the new framework, Baroness Carr said remote participation has become an established and important part of court proceedings. She stated that the guidance would contribute to a more accessible and efficient justice system by encouraging the appropriate use of remote participation. She added that it should help cases move through the courts more efficiently, reduce unnecessary travel and delay, and assist in reducing court backlogs while maintaining open justice, judicial discretion and the fairness of proceedings.
Baroness Carr also thanked Lady Justice Yip for leading the review, describing the work as the result of extensive consultation across jurisdictions and saying it had produced clear and practical guidance to support the effective administration of justice.
Alongside the statutory guidance, the Lady Chief Justice has also issued a new Practice Direction on Listing in the Criminal Courts. The direction introduces the first judiciary-led National Listing Framework for Crown Court cases and is intended to help prioritise hearings by taking account of the human impact of delay and the fair and efficient use of judicial and court resources. Both measures will take effect on 1 October 2026.