The Ministry of Justice reported on 12 October 2026 that a pilot allowing court cases to be transferred digitally to judges anywhere in the country had been pioneered in London and the North-East. According to the department, remote hearings connect judges, defendants, lawyers, court staff and witnesses without requiring everyone to attend court in person. Participants would always retain the right to apply to a judge for a face-to-face hearing.

Courts Minister Sarah Sackman KC MP said the criminal justice system the government inherited was “on the brink of collapse,” citing last-minute cancellations and delays faced by victims. The department said tens of thousands of remote and hybrid hearings already take place across England and Wales each month, and that future expansion of the pilot would depend on evaluation and judicial approval.

The ministry also said new arrangements had been agreed with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Crown Prosecution Service to expand live video links for police witness evidence. It said the Courts and Tribunals Bill was due to return to Parliament on Tuesday, when the government planned to amend it to remove proposals limiting jury trials.