Tweeting will not interfere with justice, rules top judge

12 April 2012

The country's most senior judge today gave the go-ahead to tweeting in court.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, said "fair and accurate" reporting of court proceedings was a "fundamental aspect" of open justice.

He wanted to end uncertainty surrounding the use of "live text-based communications, such as mobile, email, social media [including Twitter] and internet-enabled laptops" in court.

Permission must be sought in advance by each judge in each case but this can be obtained informally through a court official.

Lord Judge said: "The use of an unobtrusive, hand-held, virtually silent piece of modern equipment" was "for the purposes of simultaneous reporting of proceedings to the outside world as they unfold in court generally unlikely to interfere with the proper administration of justice".

The practice guidelines were handed down at the High Court and cover an interim period pending consultation. Those involved include judges, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, barristers, solicitors, the Press Complaints Commission and the Society of Editors.

Lord Judge acted after the row over the use of Twitter and tweets during the bail applications by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Electronic messaging was allowed at City of Westminster magistrates' court but a ban was imposed two days later at the High Court. Lord Judge confirmed that photography and tape recording are still banned in court.

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