I'm dialled into Westminster Magistrates' Court today to see if it's even possible to report from a magistrates' court remotely.
Court admin staff now very helpful and aware that reporters can dial into cases, they gave out the number as soon as our request was heard.
Court admin staff now very helpful and aware that reporters can dial into cases, they gave out the number as soon as our request was heard.
It's very difficult to hear what's going on.
The phone is beside the legal advisor who comes through very clearly. Judge is less clear (even though he is projecting his voice).
The defendant's voice was very unclear, I couldn't hear a word from the one who appeared so far.
The phone is beside the legal advisor who comes through very clearly. Judge is less clear (even though he is projecting his voice).
The defendant's voice was very unclear, I couldn't hear a word from the one who appeared so far.
If a lawyer speaks I have to guess whether it's the prosecutor or defence. I guess I'm going to have to ask the legal advisor later if they are accommodating or call the court admin staff back and hope they have enough time to help me with names of lawyers.
Apparently the remote hearing technology is going to be improved, I hope this means the hearing will become intelligible.
The first defendant, who was in custody for breach of peace was quite outspoken (not that I could hear).
District Judge Andrew Hamilton said repeatedly his first priority was getting him out of the cells and did so fairly quickly, the charge was not pursued.
District Judge Andrew Hamilton said repeatedly his first priority was getting him out of the cells and did so fairly quickly, the charge was not pursued.
Now hearing a case of a woman who has not attended her rehabilitation activity requirement order following an assault conviction last year.
The defence solicitor was unintelligible and the address given for her wasn't audible.
She was given another order and a suspended sent.
The defence solicitor was unintelligible and the address given for her wasn't audible.
She was given another order and a suspended sent.
District Judge Andrew Hamilton (recognised his voice from a previous hearing I attended) told people not to hand papers around but to scan and email so nothing is touched by people.
Regarding the woman breached her RAR, when her charges were read to her I couldn't hear her plea. I had to pick it up later from the judge when he sentenced her.
It's quite important to get the plea.
It's quite important to get the plea.
Next one quite interesting.
A woman recovering from Covid-19 comes back to her houseboat on Monday and discovers a homeless sex offender has been living on their boat.
She found a big mess and uneaten food. Police arrested him that day.
A woman recovering from Covid-19 comes back to her houseboat on Monday and discovers a homeless sex offender has been living on their boat.
She found a big mess and uneaten food. Police arrested him that day.
He admitted he'd been living there for seven days and said he didn't break anything.
Unfortunately it turned out he'd broken his notification requirements as a sex offender by lying about where he was staying.
Was also wanted for an assault last year involving a broken bottle.
Unfortunately it turned out he'd broken his notification requirements as a sex offender by lying about where he was staying.
Was also wanted for an assault last year involving a broken bottle.
Pleaded guilty and was given a 10 week sentence suspended for 12 months with a £122 victim surcharge for the boat owner.
It's always interesting when you see homeless people being fined. Where does the money come from? It's often taken out of their benefits, if they get them.
It's always interesting when you see homeless people being fined. Where does the money come from? It's often taken out of their benefits, if they get them.
The following case was not on the list and the defendants details were too unclear to make out.
Another homeless person with an outstanding fine of £320 from two years ago for assaulting two police officers.
Another homeless person with an outstanding fine of £320 from two years ago for assaulting two police officers.
Fine reduced to £150 (for the night spent in custody) she was released on the condition she pay £5 a week.
The court has to hear these cases as the defendants are in custody but if you're wondering why these cases are so urgent they need to be heard today, see the priority list: 
Unfortunately I missed the case I wanted to hear: a man charged under the new Corona Virus Act with coughing at a police officer after the group he was with was told to move on from somewhere in Westminster.
I dialled back in at 1400 and only got waiting music, after 20 minutes I called back through the number options and finally got to Westminster Magistrates.
After some frustrating miscommunication the staff checked with the legal advisor, who dialled the court back into the call.
After some frustrating miscommunication the staff checked with the legal advisor, who dialled the court back into the call.
I had missed the hearing. I was cut off at 1300, I assumed for lunch, but it turns out the call had dialled off automatically.
In fact, the court carried on until 1335 when the defendant finally turned up.
Very disappointed that I was excluded from this hearing after 3hrs wait.
In fact, the court carried on until 1335 when the defendant finally turned up.
Very disappointed that I was excluded from this hearing after 3hrs wait.
The legal advisor did his best to fill me in, but the fact is I missed proceedings because the legal advisor didn't hear the instruction: "Press 9* if you want to continue with this call"
As it was a not guilty plea I didn't miss too much, and can hear the allegations at CC.
As it was a not guilty plea I didn't miss too much, and can hear the allegations at CC.
Negatives of remote access:
-Sound was awful and not clear who or what was being heard.
-Hung up on without any way to get back in except to call back the main line and go through labyrinth of options.
-No guarantee will get the opportunity to check important details e.g. names
-Sound was awful and not clear who or what was being heard.
-Hung up on without any way to get back in except to call back the main line and go through labyrinth of options.
-No guarantee will get the opportunity to check important details e.g. names
-Can’t see the defendant.
-Have to ask the court every morning for the code by emailing and then calling to make sure email received.
Positives:
-Staff are understanding of reporters' needs.
-It’s good to have any access at all.
-A new system is being trialled.
-Have to ask the court every morning for the code by emailing and then calling to make sure email received.
Positives:
-Staff are understanding of reporters' needs.
-It’s good to have any access at all.
-A new system is being trialled.
I'm a freelance court reporter and no longer get shifts through the company I worked with so I've done this in my own time.
I shared this because think it's important that the public sees/reads what is happening in courts.
I hope it's been balanced and interesting. #openjustice
I shared this because think it's important that the public sees/reads what is happening in courts.
I hope it's been balanced and interesting. #openjustice
