Extending Covid-19-related provisions to widen and extend use of video and audio live links in courts and tribunals in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule extends provisions for six months to 24 September 2022

New regulations have been issued in Northern Ireland that extend Covid-19-related provisions that allow the wider and extended use of video and audio live links in courts and tribunals.

Approved by resolution of the Assembly on 1 March 2022, the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Related to Courts, Tribunals and Inquests) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (SR.No.24/2022) extends the operation of provisions in Part 1 of Schedule 27 to the Coronavirus Act 2020 to allow greater use of video or audio live links by all or any courts or a statutory tribunal for a six month period until 24 September 2022.

NB - the order was made using powers within the 2020 Act designed to accommodate an extended pandemic situation beyond the initial proposed two-year period that ended on 24 March 2022.

In addition, the Order applies the same extension to provisions which facilitate public participation in legal proceedings if and when live links are used, while also protecting those proceedings from unauthorised recordings or transmission (Part 2 of Schedule 27).

SR.No.24/2022 is available from legislation.gov.uk