Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 27 N.I. Use of live links in legal proceedings: Northern Ireland

PART 1 N.I. Powers of courts and tribunals to direct use of live links

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 27 Pt. 1 continued until 24.9.2022 (27.1.2022) by The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Related to Courts, Tribunals and Inquests) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/24), arts. 1, 3

C2 Sch. 27 Pt. 1 continued until 24.3.2023 (23.9.2022) by The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/227), art. 2

C3 Sch. 27 Pt. 1 continued until 24.9.2023 (21.3.2023) by The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/46), art. 2

C4 Sch. 27 Pt. 1 continued until 24.3.2024 (11.3.2024) by The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/138), art. 2

C5 Sch. 27 Pt. 1 continued until 24.9.2024 (21.3.2024) by The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/72), art. 2

Power to give direction for participation by live link N.I.

2 (1) A person may, if a court or statutory tribunal so directs, participate in any proceedings in the court or tribunal through a live link. N.I.

(2) A direction may not be given under this paragraph as respects a person's participation in proceedings as a member of a jury.

(3) A direction may be given under this paragraph in respect of a person—

(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.

(4) A court or tribunal may not give a direction under this paragraph unless the court or tribunal is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so.

(5) In deciding whether to give a direction under this paragraph, the court or tribunal must consider all the circumstances of the case.

(6) Those circumstances include (in particular)—

(a) the views of the person;

(b) the views of the parties to the proceedings;

(c) public health interests.

(7) Where a court or tribunal refuses an application for a direction under this paragraph, it must—

(a) state openly its reasons for doing so, and

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

(8) Power of a court or tribunal to give a direction under this paragraph is additional to, and does not limit, any other power of the court or tribunal.