Trinity Criminal Silk and current Criminal Bar Association Chair, Caroline Goodwin Q.C. has given her extensively reported views regarding the implications of television cameras being allowed to film the judges’ sentencing remarks in the Crown Court.
Under the Crown Court (Recording and Broadcasting) Order 2020 the sentencing comments of High Court and senior circuit judges in certain criminal cases will be permitted to be filmed and broadcast to the public.
Commenting on the draft legislation, Caroline Goodwin Q.C., who also sits as a Crown Court Recorder, said that the changes would "bring greater transparency and a better public understanding of the criminal justice system". Adding that: "Nothing must compromise the interests of justice, the primacy of a fair trial, and respecting the interests of vulnerable witnesses, witnesses generally and defendants. Such matters would need extremely sensitive and vigilant consideration if it was ultimately proposed to televise, live or recorded, all proceedings in the Crown Court on a routine basis."
Further reaction to the draft legislation can be found in the following press coverage: