Coronavirus Act 2020

Effect, and rescission, of directions

3 (1) Where in any proceedings a court or tribunal—

(a) has given a direction under paragraph 2 in respect of a person, and

(b) has not rescinded the direction,

the person may not participate in the proceedings otherwise than through a live link.

(2) A court or tribunal may rescind a direction under paragraph 2 if it appears to the court or tribunal to be in the interests of justice to do so.

(3) Where it does so, the person concerned ceases to be able to participate in the proceedings through a live link, but this does not prevent a further direction under paragraph 2 being given in the proceedings in respect of the person.

(4) A direction under paragraph 2 in respect of a person may be rescinded—

(a) of the court or tribunal’s own motion,

(b) on application by the person, or

(c) on application by a party to the proceedings.

(5) An application may not be made under sub-paragraph (4)(b) or (c) unless there has been a material change of circumstances since the direction was given.

(6) Where a court or tribunal rescinds a direction under paragraph 2, or refuses an application to rescind such a direction, it must—

(a) state openly its reasons for rescinding the direction or refusing the application, and

(b) if it is a magistrates’ court, cause the reasons to be entered in the Order Book.