The Magistrate’s Court is now preparing to reopen to the public after being closed during lockdown for safety reasons.
The Court Service said it would be updating its guidance in the coming days, with further details due to be announced next week.
All trials have been postponed in both courts during the lockdown, including that of Constable Chris Taylor, who is facing a dangerous driving charge in the lower court, which he denies.
Royal Court sentencings have continued to take place via video link, with only Advocates and press allowed into the room. The Magistrate’s Court has run in a similar way, with only a handful of people in the courtroom for sittings.
Ten members of the public are allowed in the Royal Court for a sitting currently and that could soon be expanded, with trials due to resume on 17 August. And with the relaxation of social-distancing rules, the Magistrate’s Court could also soon be open.
Advocate Adam Clarke, Judicial Greffier, said: ‘Despite the doors to the Magistrate’s Court being shut to the public for safety reasons, thanks to the innovation of the Greffier and the flexibility of the Magistrates and defence counsel, a great many cases have progressed to conclusion.
‘With the use of both video conferencing from the prison and the police headquarters and the recent sentencing of defendants from their own homes, the Magistrate’s Court has managed to avoid a backlog of cases. All decisions to reopen the courts to the public will be governed by the medical advice received from government.’
He added: ‘The Royal Court will be sitting slightly more often for jury trials than might be usual between now and the end of the year to ensure that they are heard. This will be a short-term measure and all other aspects of the Royal Court business will be as usual. The Magistrate’s Court does not have a backlog of trials and therefore, subject to any unexpected increase in criminal activity and charging, the Magistrate’s Court will continue to operate as usual without additional sittings.’
Mr Taylor, who denies a charge of dangerous driving relating to an alleged incident in June last year, was due to stand trial in April. A new trial date has not yet been confirmed.
Dangerous driving, which falls under Article 22 of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956, carries a maximum prison term of two years or a fine. Mr Taylor, the Constable of St John, stepped aside as an Assistant Chief Minister while the case was being dealt with. A Member sentenced to three months or more in prison is disqualified from sitting in the States Assembly.
