As more and more court hearings in the UK take place remotely, concerns are being raised that they are becoming less open to public scrutiny. While courts remain operational, they cannot be visited physically by journalists and members of the public, given the restrictions currently in place. Although journalists are able to observe hearings remotely, it is unlikely that they will do so for less serious crimes at the magistrates’ court. This could mean that miscarriages of justice taking place in lower courts are less likely to be detected, and the justice system subject to less scrutiny.   

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