JURY TRIALS

No new jury trials will begin to enable precautions to be implemented, the Lord Chief Justice (LCJ) has announced. He said steps are being taken to minimise the risk to the judiciary, staff, professionals and public users. Arrangements to enable remote hearings via telephone, video and other tech have been put in place. There have been calls for all jury trials to be halted amid the Covid-19 crisis and the need for social distancing. At the time of writing, the LCJ said efforts to bring existing jury trials to a conclusion should continue. 'Social distancing'¦ must be in place at all times and at all places within the court building. Considerable imagination and flexibility may be needed to achieve that.' 23 March

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