Court video system 'unfit for purpose'

A local solicitor has described Sightlink, a cloud-based video conferencing system introduced to allow courts to carry on business during the pandemic, as “unfit for purpose”.
Court proceedings are continuing via video conferencing system.Court proceedings are continuing via video conferencing system.
Court proceedings are continuing via video conferencing system.

Stephen Atherton, of John J. McNally & Co, Magherafelt, claimed the system did not facilitate private consultation between the prosecution and defence and is not assisting the “effective and prompt administration of justice.”

Mr Atherton was speaking after more than 80 cases listed at Magherafelt Magistrates Court were deferred for two months.

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He said: “Furthermore, Court Service unilaterally announced an adjournment of eight weeks in all cases today, which may have been reasonable and proportionate in the prevailing circumstances in March and April of this year however I do not consider such a delay in cases can be justified at this stage of the pandemic.”

A Court Service spokesperson said Sightlink solution facilitates video and telephone conferencing and is being used by the NI Courts and Tribunal (NICTS) for the purpose of facilitating remote court hearings. It provides an open and transparent basis for the continuation of court hearings during the current pandemic emergency measures.

“The facilitating of private consultations between prosecution and defence is not a matter for the NICTS. However it may be one which the Public Prosecution Service and the Law Society may be better placed to comment on,” she said.

“Magistrates’ Courts business is being progressed via four court hubs (Laganside Courts, Lisburn, Dungannon and Londonderry). On any Wednesday the court will have been dealing with cases from a number of venues covered by the Londonderry Hub which covers Londonderry, Magherafelt, Limavady and Coleraine business. The current guidance for courts is that urgent or agreed matters are being progressed and legal representatives or parties can email a prescribed form to the court where this is the case. Otherwise Magistrates’ Courts business is being adjourned at the direction of a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts).

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“The Lord Chief Justice has initiated a programme of work to incrementally recover court business but this is in accordance with NI Executive and Public Health guidance. It is intended that additional business will shortly start to be listed in Magistrates’ Courts including preliminary inquiries (PE’s), pleas and sentencing where the parties agree the matter can proceed and other preliminary issues."

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