Dear Members

HMCTS has distributed an open invitation to a Video Remand Hearings Defence Representatives Workshop (see below – please embed the original invitation in the email).

We would encourage as many members as possible to register for and attend this Workshop.

Whilst increasing rates of representation in police stations is highly desirable, video link is a poor substitute for face to face attendance with defendants, especially those with mental health problems and for those whose first language is not English. Video link substantially lowers effective participation and attempts to disembody the whole process will inevitably lead to poorer quality information being given to tribunals and reduce overall confidence in Justice. It also deprives all parties involved of collaborative working to achieve more efficient and desirable outcomes from the outset which can only be achieved by meeting at court.

There appears to be an increasingly big push from above to make video remand hearings the norm.

Let’s make sure we make our concerns from the Defence perspective well known before this is rolled out.

If you are interested please contact Rosie Pugh or telephone 07414 435153.

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Register for the Video Remand Hearings Defence Representatives workshop 

The Video Remand Hearings project will be holding a service design workshop for Defence Representatives on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 from 10.30am to 3.30pm at Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London, SE1 9HS.    

The purpose of this session will be to work through the detailed process design for:

• Legal Representation at Video Remand Hearings. To design a process that encourages uptake of legal representation at the police station, in advance of a video remand hearing as part of the Video Remand Hearings project process design. The aim is to get close to legal representation take-up in the physical court room (latest national figures for this are at 93%).

• The design of a digital legal aid application process for defendants held at the police station, in advance of a video hearing. The aim is to facilitate remote consultations with legal representatives.

Invites have already gone out to Defence Representatives for this event, however we would like as many attendees as possible to maximise its success. We appreciate the short notice of this alert, and therefore if you’re unavailable at this time, but interested in taking part in similar events in the future please let us know.

If you would like to attend the event, please email Rosie Pugh.

We look forward to meeting with you. If you have any feedback or questions please contact Rosie Pugh or telephone 07414 435153.