Judges will have discretion to open court rooms for extended hours under ‘Temporary Operating Arrangements’, running morning and afternoon lists (9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm) instead of 10am-4pm, and given options to hold pre-trial preparation hearings online.
Bar Chair Derek Sweeting QC said: ‘Sentencing via a screen needs careful consideration and should not be routine. We need long-term investment, not a short-term fix.’