U.K. Expands Use of Cameras in the Courtroom

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Court of Appeal criminal and civil proceedings will be televised beginning in October, Lord [Igor] Judge told the House of Lords constitution committee, The Guardian reported.

The 71-year-old Judge, who in September will relinquish his position as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales after five years as head of England's judiciary, said senior judges will be offered training in on-air conduct. Although Ministers want to expand courtroom coverage to crown courts to, at the very least, broadcast judges' comments during sentencing, Judge voiced concerns about televising jury trials of criminal proceedings, fearful that witnesses will be intimidated about giving evidence and that the cameras will be a distraction that could impede justice.

Presently, only the Westminster Court routinely televises its proceedings, according to the Guardian article.