TV cameras to be allowed into British courts

The Ministry of Justice has announced filming will be allowed into Court of Appeals to record proceedings.

12:40 31 October 2013

The days when cameras and filming are banned from court are now over as the Ministry of Justice has announced the partial lifting of the long-standing ban in British court.

BBC News described the move as a “landmark moment” while some major broadcasters and senior judges welcomed it with open arms.

Years of campaigning led by the BBC, ITN, Press Association and Sky News, has paved the ways for camera points that will be made available in five courtrooms at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The most senior judge in England and Wales, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, said: "My fellow judges and I welcome the start of broadcasting from the Court of Appeal.

"The Court of Appeal has, of course, been open to the public and to journalists for a long time.

"The change in the law which is now coming into force will permit the recording and broadcasting of the proceedings of the Court of Appeal.

"This will help a wider audience to understand and see for themselves how the Court of Appeal goes about its work."

Lawyers' arguments and the judges' comments will be allowed to be shown but other key aspects of the case will not – for example the testimonies of defendants, witnesses and victims.