New guidelines on court reporting restrictions

Updated guidelines on open justice and reporting restrictions in the criminal courts have been published by the Judicial Studies Board, Newspaper Society, Society of Editors and Times Newspapers.
The guidelines have been revised by media barrister Guy Vassell-Adams, following a meeting between the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, the Society of Editors, the Newspaper Society, Times Newspapers, Trinity Mirror, the Press Association and Reuters.
The updated guidelines have been designed to provide a single useful reference for courts and media alike. A checklist sets out the points to consider before any restriction upon press access or reporting is made. It summarises the automatic and discretionary reporting restrictions and where the law permits such exceptions to the open justice principle. Each section concludes with a bullet point summary of the key principles designed to help users.
Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: “With the help of Lord Judge and the JSB this collaboration has helped to transform the relationship between the courts and the media for the benefit of the justice system and therefore the public. A clear statement of the rules plus common sense guidance helps everyone and this update recognises the achievement since the first edition as well as changes in the law.”
Santha Rasaiah, PERA Director of the Newspaper Society, added: “The local media play a crucial role in keeping the whole community informed of the work of the local courts. The Newspaper Society was delighted to continue this ‘remarkable collaboration’ and work again with the JSB on the new guidelines at the invitation of Lord Judge. We will be encouraging editors to take this opportunity to discuss with their local courts how they can work together to promote public understanding of the courts.”

In addition to the publication of the guidelines on the JSB’s website, they will also be available on the websites for the Society of Editors (http://www.societyofeditors.org/) and the Newspaper Society (http://www.newspapersoc.org.uk/). A dedicated checklist is also being included in the Magistrates’ Courts’ Bench Book.