Leeds' top judge says city's Crown court will stay open despite jury trials being postponed over Coronavirus

Leeds' most senior judge said today that plans were in place to keep the city's Crown court operating despite a decision to put criminal trials on hold due to the Coronavirus.
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The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl QC, said morale remains high among judges, lawyers and court staff and there was a determination to ensure the city's criminal justice system keeps operating despite the crisis.

The Lord Chief Justice announced on Tuesday that no new trials should start in any Crown court unless it is expected to last three days or fewer.

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Judge Kearl told the Yorkshire Evening Post that other Crown court business - including sentencing of convicted defendants - will continue as normal in Leeds.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

He said: "As we all know, there is a dynamic to this.

"Things change very quickly but we are trying to keep going as far as we are able and we rely on the bar, the court staff, the prison service and the probation service to do that.

"I think there will be further disruption but we will manage things as well as we can."

He added: "Leeds is the third biggest court in the country in terms of crime. We are always busy."

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Earlier today (March 18), a murder trial involving five defendants had to be abandoned on day three of the hearing as a juror had to self-isolate.

The case was adjourned until September.

A high-profile manslaughter trial and a murder trial, being overseen by High Court judges, are still ongoing at the courthouse on Oxford Row

Judge Kearl said he was continuing to liaise with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), and the leader of the north eastern circuit, Richard Wright, QC.

He added: "Where possible, we will be pulling in the same direction.

"My view is that morale is excellent.

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"From my observation or HMCTS staff, they are doing everything they can to make everything work. But it doesn't mean that there aren't concerns."

Jury trials that will last longer than three days that were due to start before the end of April have now been postponed.

The announcement came after pressure mounted on the Government to make clear its strategy for courts, amid growing concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on court business.

The statement said the impact of the public health emergency on the operation of the courts has been under "constant review", and that criminal trials pose "particular problems in a fast-moving situation" because of the involvement of many participants including the judge, jurors, defendants, lawyers, witnesses and court staff.

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The statement read: "Given the risks of a trial not being able to complete, the Lord Chief Justice has decided that no new trial should start in the Crown Court unless it is expected to last for three days or less.

"All cases estimated to last longer than three days listed to start before the end of April 2020 will be adjourned.

"These cases will be kept under review and the position regarding short trials will be revisited as circumstances develop and in any event next week.

"As events unfold decisions will be taken in respect of all cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court."

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The statement said any trials currently under way would continue, in the hope they could be completed.

It continued: "All those attending court should follow Public Heath England guidance suitably adjusted to reflect the distinct features of a court as a working environment for all concerned, including jurors."

In relation to other court hearings, including family and magistrates' courts, where no jurors are involved, the statement said steps are being taken to enable as many hearings as possible to take place - with some or all of those involved attending by telephone, videolink or online.