'It is essential justice is served in these difficult times' - reseller to help 60 UK courts conduct remote hearings

Kinly's Cloud Video Platform to be used in non-jury criminal cases

The English and Welsh courts service is teaming up with Edinburgh-based reseller Kinly to pilot video technology to support remote hearings in criminal cases.

Kinly - which counts Cisco, Google and Microsoft among its vendor partners - cloud video platform (CVP) is initially being rolled out to 60 magistrates' courts and 48 crown courts currently open to the public. It is also being implemented in the Civil and Family courts.

CVP connects to the existing justice video network which links police stations and prisons to courts and is accessible with any internet-enabled device with a camera and mic, according to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).

Magistrates' courts in London, the south-east, the south-west and midlands have already started using the video platform from April, as well as crown courts in Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle and Hull.

The platform will not be used for jury trials and video hearings will always be subject to judicial discretion. HMCTS stated that it will be used in magistrates' courts for remand, custody time limits and sentencing hearings.

"It is essential that justice continues to be served in these difficult times and this new platform will help equip courts across England and Wales with secure and robust video technology to enable them to carry out more of their vital work," said courts minister Chris Philp.

"I am extremely impressed at the way all those within the justice system have adapted so well to the unprecedented challenges we face. We have already seen a huge rise in the number of cases being heard remotely, and this innovation will ensure the wheels of justice continue to turn."

HMCTS data showed that 90 per cent of all cases since 14 April have been held remotely to ensure the protection of the vulnerable and to ensure the health and well-being of service users.

HMCTS has thus far run 412 remand hearings using Kinly's video platform, brought online 26 police custody suites and connected 95 advocates, 42 Crown prosecutors, 20 Probation officers and two translators.

Amanda Pinto QC, chair of the Bar Council, stated: "We must keep the justice system going in the public interest. Barristers, along with the judiciary, court staff and many others, are determined to adapt quickly to delivering justice during Covid-19, including delivering it remotely.

"The new CVP platform is crucial to these efforts, enabling more cases to be heard without everyone having to gather in a physical courtroom. We have heard positive feedback from barristers involved in hearings where CVP has already been used. I am keen to see it rolled out widely to try and ensure that as far as possible, effective justice is delivered, not delayed."