15. Aug. 2010. – 12:31:34
There is a grouping of individuals who call themselves Freemen of England whose prime entertainment is their anarchic behaviour when confronted by the legislation that most of the time allows most of us to live peaceful lives within a clearly defined set of rules. Their refusal to recognise the courts system has been well documented. Colleagues on my own bench have been faced with their attempted disruption. I was in court when an individual failed to appear on a charge of contempt related to the above mentioned disruption. I presume his subsequent probable arrest would have jolted his sense of separateness.
One such event was filmed and is available on YouTube.
I have always been under the impression that recording of proceedings in court was illegal and any person caught so doing is liable to be dealt with under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 maximum sentence one month custody or s41 Criminal Justice Act 1925 carrying a maximum of £1,000 fine. What I was unaware of until reading a newspaper report recently was that in the Crown Court a judge hearing an appeal from a magistrates` court had the authority to allow such recording. When permission was requested in writing from the appellant “ The judge sent a message back, saying he could apply for permission to record the proceedings – but such an application had to be made in person.”
With the over the counter availability of button sized TV cameras and transmitters it is only a matter of time before the surreptitious recording and broadcasting of a major case and/or jury room discussion is a reality. There is an argument that court proceedings should be available to all who wish to observe. Some would say that this development not dissimilar to broadcasting Parliament is overdue. Has this matter been given any consideration by Her Majesty`s Court Service?
One such event was filmed and is available on YouTube.
I have always been under the impression that recording of proceedings in court was illegal and any person caught so doing is liable to be dealt with under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 maximum sentence one month custody or s41 Criminal Justice Act 1925 carrying a maximum of £1,000 fine. What I was unaware of until reading a newspaper report recently was that in the Crown Court a judge hearing an appeal from a magistrates` court had the authority to allow such recording. When permission was requested in writing from the appellant “ The judge sent a message back, saying he could apply for permission to record the proceedings – but such an application had to be made in person.”
With the over the counter availability of button sized TV cameras and transmitters it is only a matter of time before the surreptitious recording and broadcasting of a major case and/or jury room discussion is a reality. There is an argument that court proceedings should be available to all who wish to observe. Some would say that this development not dissimilar to broadcasting Parliament is overdue. Has this matter been given any consideration by Her Majesty`s Court Service?
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