Open Justice Reminder Issued To Judges

Judges have been reminded that the press must be able to freely access all public court hearings after reporters were refused entry into court. 

Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos has written to all civil judges emphasising that the public and press must be able freely to access all public court hearings, The Law Society Gazette reported. 

The reminder comes after journlaists from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s news service were refused entry into court as part of an investigation on possession proceedings.

A Judicial Office spokesperson said: “The Master of the Rolls has written, following the TBIJ report, to all civil judges emphasising that the public and press must be able freely to access all public court hearings.”

A spokesperson for HM Courts & Tribunals Service said: “We are committed to the principle of open justice and transparency. Where operational issues are brought to our attention, we work swiftly to resolve them.”