Ministry of Justice pilots remote hearings that let judges hear cases from anywhere in the country
A Ministry of Justice pilot lets court cases be transferred digitally to judges anywhere in the country, with a right to apply for a hearing in person.
The Ministry of Justice has announced a pilot of remote hearings that allows court cases to be transferred digitally to judges anywhere in the country. The press release was published on 12 October 2026 by the Ministry of Justice and Sarah Sackman KC MP, the Courts Minister.
According to the announcement, the technology allows judges to hear cases hundreds of miles away. The Ministry says the aim is to help redistribute resources and to target courts affected by growing backlogs, so that victims see their cases heard sooner.
The Ministry presents the pilot as part of the Government's efforts to modernise the courts and tackle the backlog.
How the remote hearings work
The approach was pioneered in London and the North-East. Remote hearings bring together judges, defendants, lawyers, court staff and witnesses from across the country, so that hearings can take place without everyone attending court in person.
The Ministry states that cases conducted with this technology uphold the principles of fairness, access to justice and open justice, with safeguards in place throughout hearings.
Lawyers are among the participants the release lists as taking part in these hearings. The release also confirms that participants will always have the right to apply to the judge for a hearing in person.
Guidance, evaluation and wider use of video
The release sets out the following points on the scope of the pilot:
- The pilot has been rolled out in line with the Lady Chief Justice's latest guidance.
- Any future expansion is subject to evaluation and judicial approval.
- Tens of thousands of remote and hybrid hearings already take place across England and Wales every month.
The Ministry of Justice says it is continuing to invest in video technology. It states that this investment is intended to make remote hearings more accessible and to improve support for vulnerable witnesses.
New arrangements have also been agreed with the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Crown Prosecution Service. These are intended to expand the use of live video links for police witness evidence, which the release says will make better use of policing resources.
What the minister said
Sarah Sackman KC MP, the Courts Minister, said the criminal justice system the Government inherited was "on the brink of collapse". She said hearings had been cancelled at the last minute and that victims had faced "unacceptable delays".
The minister described the pilot as using technology "to connect courts across the country". She said it would make better use of resources and change how justice is delivered for victims.
Courts and Tribunals Bill
The announcement coincides with the Courts and Tribunals Bill returning to Parliament on Tuesday. The release states that the Government will amend the Bill to remove proposals to limit jury trials.
According to the Ministry, this will ensure that almost all Crown Court cases continue to be heard by a jury.
For firms with criminal court work, the release confirms two separate developments: the remote hearings pilot, with any expansion depending on evaluation and judicial approval, and the planned amendment to the Bill on jury trials.
Where to read more
The full announcement, including the complete statement from the Courts Minister, is available on the Ministry of Justice's own website.