The Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) has postponed its decision on whether to introduce cameras in the courts until later this year. A public consultation carried out earlier this year elicited 259 responses and saw contributions from the Law Society and Bar Council as well as other professional bodies and interested parties. In a statement last month, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, said the responses had “confirmed my very strong view that victims, witnesses, and jurors should not be filmed”.
The Law Society responded to the consultation saying it was “broadly in favour of cameras in court as long as they are not used in cases involving juries or lay witnesses. They are fine for appeal proceedings”. But it added: “It is essential to ensure that witnesses and victims are not put under any pressure. It is important that the experience of giving evidence is as stress-free as possible.”
