Is increasing remote hearings really the answer to increasing efficiency in the courts? In our latest report, we argue not... 🔗 transformjustice.org.uk/publication/be…
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CourtWatch London
333 posts
CourtWatch London
@CourtWatchLDN
Shaping the future of justice ⚖ Observing London's magistrates courts, gathering data, and taking action.
London เข้าร่วม Mayıs 2023
84 กำลังติดตาม616 ผู้ติดตาม
👁️🗨️“An hour was lost… The first prosecution witness was due to give evidence by videolink and this wasn’t working in the court room we were in.”
👁️🗨️"Defendant needed to speak to lawyer (also on video) court had to be cleared as not able to mute this conversation. "
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A few courtwatcher observations on videolinks:
👁️🗨️"The video link was so bad, maybe the trial really should have been stopped."
👁️🗨️"Video link not brilliant, defendant just managed to hear his solicitor."
Penelope Gibbs@PenelopeGibbs2
Leveson recommends increase in the No of defendants who appear on video for their 1st magistrates' court appearance. This would be a disastrous move for defendants' effective participation, for lawyer's ability to communicate with their clients & for Nos on short prison sentences
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CourtWatch London in the Law Gazette! 👀
🔗➡️And have a read of our brand new report exploring efficiency (or lack thereof) in London magistrates' courts here: transformjustice.org.uk/publication/be…
lawgazette.co.uk/news/over-a-th…
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CourtWatch London รีทวีตแล้ว
How can magistrates’ courts make the best use of their time and resources? We explore the inefficiencies contributing to the court backlog in our brand new @CourtWatchLDN report: transformjustice.org.uk/publication/be…
Charles Hymas@charleshymas
Suspects in crimes such as theft, assault and criminal damage are waiting up to four years to appear before magistrates because of record court backlogs, a study has revealed @TransformJust1 @PenelopeGibbs2 @PoliceInspForum @DavidLammy @sarahsackman @TheCriminalBar @thebarcouncil @TheLawSociety @MagsAssoc @VictimsComm @VictimsC @NotThatBigIan @DannyShawNews telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/2…
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⚠️ New CourtWatch London report!
It’s finally here… the culmination of more than 2300+ magistrates’ court hearings observed, recorded and analysed. A massive thank you to all of our volunteer courtwatchers for making this possible!
Read it now: 🔗transformjustice.org.uk/publication/be…
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CourtWatch London รีทวีตแล้ว
💡New Insight 💡
Dr Jill Harbord of University of Sussex explores the marginalisation of people facing homelessness in our magistrates' courts. Read it now ⬇️
@Shelter | @crisis_uk | @StMungos | @centrepointuk | @HomelessLink | @Nacro | @JUSTICEhq
transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight/a…
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CourtWatch London รีทวีตแล้ว
Exciting news that @CourtWatchLDN have announced funding to expand into the whole England and Wales. 👏👏 Courtwatch volunteers observe magistrates courts producing reports that are used to help inform and influence HMCTS, Judges and Magistrates. lawgazette.co.uk/features/justi…
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🔗 Explore our work on out-of-court resolutions here: transformjustice.org.uk/focus-areas/re… and let us know your thoughts below ⬇️
#CourtWatchLondon #TransformJustice #OutofCourtResolutions
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With over a million people going through the magistrates’ courts each year, is it really sensible to keep relying on an overstretched system, especially when court sanctions are often less effective at preventing future crime?
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Courtwatchers have been questioning whether some cases belong in court at all.
At @TransformJust1, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
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CourtWatch London รีทวีตแล้ว
We do not need to reinvent the wheel to fix the courts crisis - as volunteers who took part in @TransformJust1's courtwatchers' programme show -- in the @lawsocgazette lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and…
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How can courts ensure that every defendant feels seen and heard throughout the process? We’d love to hear your thoughts below ⬇️
#CourtWatchLondon #CourtWatch #AccesstoJustice #TransformJustice
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It’s understandable that, in a system under immense pressure, staff may not feel they have time for these brief acts of recognition. But for defendants, being acknowledged in proceedings that may change their lives is more than a nicety, it’s about dignity and fairness.
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Some courtwatchers have reported magistrates and court staff failing to acknowledge or include defendants during their own hearings.
Read more from our courtwatchers below ⬇️
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