subject: Twitter avoids courtroom ban [print this page] Twitter avoids courtroom ban Twitter avoids courtroom ban
IBB Solicitors understands that the UK's leading judge has ruled that Twitter could be used inside courtrooms. There has been conjecture by the media and reports in to the legal system, which have concluded that the UK's legal system is lacking in openness. Perhaps Twitter can give an insight into Uk courtrooms.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge said Twitter users would require the judge's authorization first, but added that the micro-blogging web site was "unlikely to interfere with the administration of justice".
Nevertheless, Lord Judge cautioned that Twitter could be restricted in criminal trials, amid concerns that witnesses beyond the court room could find out precisely what is being stated inside just before being called to provide evidence. He added that the usage of Twitter in legal courts could also be restricted to journalists.
IBB Solicitors understands that Lord Judge said: "The judge has an overriding responsibility to ensure that proceedings are conducted consistently with the proper administration of justice, and so as to avoid any improper interference with its processes.
"There is no statutory prohibition on the use of live text-based communications in open court. But before such use is permitted, the court must be satisfied that its use does not pose a danger of interference to the proper administration of justice in the individual case.
"Subject to this consideration, the use of an unobtrusive, hand-held, virtually silent piece of modern equipment for the purposes of simultaneous reporting of proceedings to the outside world as they unfold in court is generally unlikely to interfere with the proper administration of justice."
