Live links in appeals under Criminal Appeal ActN.I.
83.—(1) In section 24 of the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 (c. 47) (right of appellant to be present at proceedings in Court of Appeal), after subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) The Court of Appeal may at any time give a live link direction in relation to any proceedings at which the appellant is expected to be in custody but is entitled to be present.
(2B) For this purpose—
(a)a “live link direction” is a direction that the appellant (if he is being held in custody at the time of the proceedings) is to attend the proceedings through a live link from the place at which he is held; and
(b)“live link” means an arrangement by which the appellant is able to see and hear, and to be seen and heard by, the Court of Appeal (and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded)
(2C) The Court of Appeal—
(a)shall not give a live link direction unless—
(i)the appellant has consented to the direction; and
(ii)any other party to the appeal has had the opportunity to make representations about the giving of such a direction; and
(b)may rescind a live link direction at any time before or during any proceedings to which it applies (whether of its own motion or on the application of a party).
(2D) The Court of Appeal must not give a live link direction unless—
(a)it has been notified by the Secretary of State that a live link is available between the Court and the institution at which the appellant is expected to be in custody; and
(b)the notice has not been withdrawn.”.
(2) In section 25 of that Act (giving of evidence), after subsection (3) insert—
“(4) A live link direction under section 24(2A) does not apply to the giving of oral evidence by the appellant at any hearing unless that direction, or any subsequent direction of the court, provides expressly for the giving of such evidence through a live link.”.
(3) In section 45(2) of that Act (powers exercisable by single judge), after paragraph (f) there is inserted—
“(fa)to give a live link direction under section 24(2A);”.