The Old Bailey will be opened up to cameras on Thursday as sentencing remarks from a crown court case in England and Wales are broadcast for the first time.
The move, which comes after a change in the law, is intended to help the public get a better understanding of how sentencing decisions are taken. Previously, proceedings have only been broadcast at the supreme court (since its 2009 inauguration) and the court of appeal (since 2009).
Any crown court sentencing where cameras are allowed will be shown on a dedicated YouTube channel hosted by Sky News, which will have a 10-second delay for live proceedings to avoid any breach of restrictions or errors. Other broadcasters can also apply to broadcast sentencing remarks.
The sentencing at the Old Bailey of Ben Oliver, who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his grandfather, David Oliver, in south London, is expected to be the first case shown if the judge agrees.
The lord chancellor, Dominic Raab, said: “Opening up the courtroom to cameras to film the sentencing of some the country’s most serious offenders will improve transparency and reinforce confidence in the justice system. The public will now be able to see justice handed down, helping them understand better the complex decisions judges make.”
The rule change will allow Sky, the BBC, ITN and PA Media to apply to film and broadcast sentencing remarks, with the judge deciding whether to grant the request.
The reform was welcomed by broadcasters, who said they have been campaigning for more than a decade for cameras to be allowed in.
John Battle, head of legal and compliance at ITN, and chair of the Media Lawyers Association called it “a landmark moment for open justice”. He said: “Court reporting is vital to democracy and the rule of law and this long overdue change is welcomed.”
Jonathan Munro, interim director of BBC News, said: “Justice must be seen to be done, so this is a crucial moment for transparency in the justice system – and for our audiences, who will be able to understand the judicial process better by witnessing it for themselves. This move has come after a successful campaign by the BBC, ITN and Sky, and I’m delighted we are now seeing the results of our work.”
Only the judge will be filmed during any sentencing in order to protect the privacy of victims and others in court.
