Video and Telephone Conferencing in the Court of Appeal Civil Division
The Court of Appeal Civil Division has mobile cameras and screens which can be set up in most of its courtrooms. These allow the Judges and lawyers to see and talk to parties at remote centres. Unrepresented litigants will normally be required to use a remote centre based at their local Court, but solicitors may have their own video conferencing facilities.
The courtroom equipment is controlled by a clerk who switches between cameras and ensures that all the parties involved can see whoever is talking at any given time.
- Cases where savings in costs can be achieved
- Cases in which public disruption can be avoided
- Cases in which early listing can be facilitated
- Cases involving vulnerable parties such as hospital patients or children
- Cases involving parties overseas
- Cases involving prisoners
- Emergency cases in which the parties cannot readily attend court
It is necessary to get the Court's permission to hear a case by video conferencing. Parties should initially approach the Civil Appeals Listing. They should check the availability of video conferencing equipment for the day or days of their hearing.
A written application should then be made to the Listing Office. This will be referred to the Presiding Judge due to hear the case, or to the Supervising Lord/Lady Justice for the case if no hearing has yet been allocated.
If all parties to the case agree to video conferencing the written application will be sufficient. If any party objects to video conferencing a short hearing may be necessary.
Once the Court directs that a case should be heard by video conferencing it is the responsibility of the party seeking the video conference to arrange it.
All the costs of transmission, including hire of equipment and operators at remote sites, will initially be the responsibility of the party arranging the facilities. All reasonable efforts should be made to keep costs down.
Parties using facilities at their local court will also initially be responsible for paying the costs of transmission, which will be charged at £21.60 per half hour.
All such costs will be costs of the proceedings and the Court will order which parties should pay them and in what proportions.
The Court of Appeal Civil Division will sit in a courtroom in the Royal Courts of Justice, and this will be the “local site” for video conferencing purposes. The party responsible for arranging the video conference must contact the Civil Appeals Listing Office at the contact points above and make arrangements for transmission. The Listing Office will need the following technical information:
- Address of the remote site
- Details of the remote video conferencing equipment including number of ISDN lines and connection speed
- Contact names and telephone numbers at the remote site
The Court will need to be satisfied that the equipment at the remote site is appropriate. The equipment available at the remote location must be a minimum of the equivalent to six telephone lines.
The person arranging the video conference must ensure that an operator is available at the remote site throughout the hearing to deal with technical aspects.
Video conferencing using a remote location rules out the last minute submission or alteration of documents. It is the responsibility of the parties or their representatives to make such submissions or alterations well in advance of the hearing.
- The Presiding Judge will decide in advance whether formal court dress will be appropriate in video conference proceedings. It may be in courtroom based cases but not when the remote site is other than a courtroom.
- Parties should arrive at both video conference venues 20 minutes before the hearing is due to start.
- At the remote site the party responsible for arranging the video conference must make sure there are sufficient microphones and that the cameras can cover all relevant parties.
- Users should be aware that only the microphone close to those in the picture will be on, so that only parties in the picture will be properly heard.
- The Presiding Judge will decide the procedure for the video conference. The Judge(s) will not normally enter court until both sites are online. The Judge(s) will normally leave court while both sites remain online. The Presiding Judge will ensure those involved are aware of the identities of parties at both locations. He or she may wish to give directions on seating arrangements and ensure all parties can be seen and heard properly.
- An Associate or Usher will normally be present to operate courtroom recording equipment at the Royal Courts of Justice. The video conference constitutes Court proceedings and no recording of them other than the official version may be made. No party may record images or sounds from the remote location. For video conferencing purposes the remote location is a courtroom and the usual rules apply.
- The video conferencing equipment being provided for the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal is capable of running at a maximum speed of 512kbps, equivalent to eight ISDN (digital) lines, providing a high quality video picture.
- There are two cameras, each positioned on top of an NEC 42” plasma screen. The plasma screens and cameras will be positioned within the courtroom in such a way that the judiciary and advocates are able to see and talk with the witness at the 'far end'. The operation of the cameras will be controlled by the Court Clerk who will be able to switch between cameras giving the witness sight of whoever is talking to them at that time.
- The video conferencing units are fully portable: the plasma screens and cameras are on a sturdy trolley, enabling the equipment to be relocated quickly and easily.
For Video Conferencing in Civil Appeals cases, please contact the Civil Appeals Listing Office.
Please read the following document for details about Telephone Conferencing
This information is a guide for parties considering the use of video conferencing in Court of Appeal Civil Division proceedings. Full details of video conferencing procedures can be found in the Practice Direction to the Civil Procedure Rules Part 32.