HMCTS reports dramatic increase in use of audio and video technology in courts and tribunals as a result of the coronavirus outbreak

New figures highlight that around 85 per cent of hearings in England and Wales were held remotely on 6 April 2020

Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has reported a dramatic increase in the use of audio and video technology in courts and tribunals, with around 85 per cent of hearings in England and Wales held remotely on 6 April 2020.

While advising that the figures have been drawn together rapidly and specifically in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and that therefore their accuracy cannot be verified, HMCTS nevertheless reports that - 

• on 6 April 2020, around 85 per cent of cases heard in England and Wales used audio or video technology;
• between 19 March and 6 April 2020, courts and tribunals reported that the use of audio in hearings increased from around 100 to around 1,850 cases; and
• between 19 March and 6 April 2020, courts and tribunals reported that the use of video in hearings increased from around 150 to around 1,100 cases.

NB - HMCTS adds that the figures are based on operational reports from individual courts and tribunals, but this form of data collection will soon be replaced as data on hearings conducted with the use of remote video or audio technology will be captured in other ways.

For more information see Courts and tribunals data on audio and video technology use during coronavirus outbreak from gov.uk