Audio-visual upgrade in courts ‘most advanced in British Isles’
MORE than £150,000 has been spent on upgrading audio-visual equipment to help with court proceedings.
The changes have been made to court one – used for Royal Court criminal trials – and court two – used for Magistrate’s Court criminal trials.
A spokesman said these changes mean the Royal Court now has the most advanced in-court audio-visual technology in the British Isles.
‘The new larger 65in. screens are much clearer than the previous ones and use ultra-high-definition technology,’ they said.
‘These screens are used to show the court evidence, including witnesses giving evidence from the witness support suite or other off-island locations. The sound is to the highest standard of audio quality, which enables the court to hear evidence more clearly.
‘The video conferencing equipment allows advocates to talk to witnesses appearing by video link as though they were actually in the court room.’
Trials which involve vulnerable witnesses are now conducted using what is termed achievable best evidence.
‘This means that the interview conducted by the police can be played back in court on one screen, while the witness can be seen on the other screen,’ the spokesman said.
‘The interview can be stopped while the advocate asks the witness a question and the court can observe how the witness reacts and answers the question.
‘The witness, seated in the separate witness support suite, also has two screens so that they are able to see the evidence and the court at the same time.
‘The presentation of evidence in the court rooms also includes the ability to play back footage taken from CCTV cameras as well as police body-mounted cameras and audio recordings.’
To communicate with the court, new facilities have also been provided in the witness support suite and at Guernsey Prison.
The total cost of replacing the old equipment was £156,000.
HM Greffier Jon Torode said he was very pleased with the new video conferencing equipment.
‘It is a big step towards being able to work digitally and means that people can give evidence without having to appear in court,’ he said.
‘This is especially important to protect vulnerable witnesses and to improve access to justice.’
