For the last 100 years, it has been against the law to take photos inside a courthouse in the United Kingdom. The only visual documentation allowed was a courtroom sketch, which shows an artist's interpretation of what unfolds, but the photography ban could soon be lifted in an attempt to make the justice system more transparent.
Last year, a criminal trial was televised for the first time under new English laws that allowed TV cameras to film the verdict and explanation. It took place at the Old Bailey on August 04 for the sentencing of Ben Oliver, who had pleaded guilty to manslaughter after stabbing his grandfather to death. Now the Ministry of Justice is addressing whether the ban on photography and sound recording is still relevant in a world where people are so dependent on what the media shares.
