Lessons from the UK

1. Live online streaming to the Supreme Court (UK)

As from 16 May 2011, the website to the UK Supreme Court ( www.supremecourt.gov.uk ) has a link to Sky News that allows live online viewing of the hearings of the UK Supreme Court, the final Court of Appeal in the UK for all civil cases and for criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Presently there is no live streaming from hearings of The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the Court of final appeal for the UK Overseas Territories & Crown Dependencies. The link for the live hearing viewing is on the home page of the Supreme Court website.

The Law Society (of England and Wales solicitors) publishes online “The Law Society Gazette”, and in the Daily Update of 4 June 2013 it included a link to an article by two English barristers (Craig Barlow and Jason Hadden) discussing the live streaming from the Supreme Court. That article can be accessed here and includes the following comments:

“The live web streaming of the UK Supreme Court sittings is not just revolutionary; it’s little short of a revelation. According to the Supreme Court, some 20,000 viewers daily watch such streaming. There is a good reason for lawyers to watch the live argument. By viewing one can experience the cut and thrust of the advocacy and from the justices’ incisive questioning, glean insight into the process of the court’s deepest thinking.

As followers of the Supreme Court’s website streaming (we really should get out more), we are confident that this is an under-utilised advocacy tool for advocates of all levels. It is an under-resourced practical learning aid for shaping and honing the skills of appellate advocacy….”

Hopefully the High Court of Australia and the Courts of Appeal of the Australian States and Territories at some stage will consider offering such a facility. The benefits to the community and legal profession are clear.

As to this live streaming, the UK Supreme Court Press Notice no. 06/2011 notes that:

“The move means that legal professionals, students and members of the public interested in the work of the Supreme Court do not have to travel to London to see proceedings. The website contains direct links to the Supreme Court’s own summaries of each case, to enable viewers to read some background material.”

2. Also of note on the Supreme Court website is the ability to click on any matter waiting for hearing in order to obtain a summary of the facts and issue/s on appeal.

3. Summaries of decisions of the UK Supreme Court on demand

Following the introduction of the live web stream process mentioned above, the UK Supreme Court now offers a further facility on its dedicated “Supreme Court YouTube Channel” found at www.youtube.com/uksupremecourt .

This facility provides videos of the 5-minute summary given by the lead Justice in each appeal as they deliver their judgment. The UK Supreme Court news release (02/2013) discussing this process is at http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/news/court-on-camera.html .

4. Websites of UK barristers

Following on from the seminar organised by the Bar Association of Queensland in the Banco Court on “The future of the Bar” on 10 April 2013, below are a number of websites from English Chambers that might assist any Queensland Chambers presently considering the set up of a website and the content of it.

• http://www.brickcourt.co.uk/home/home.asp
• http://www.oeclaw.co.uk/
• http://www.essexcourt.net/ 
• http://www.hardwicke.co.uk/

5. The Junior Bar

A useful link from The Guardian online headed “Training to be a barrister” has various articles referred to in it that may be of interest:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/training-to-be-a-barrister .

6. The Bar Council (UK)

The Bar Council’s website ( www.barcouncil.org.au/ ) contains a number of useful links. The Bar Council represents barristers in England and Wales. From this website it is noted that in 2010 there were 15,387 barristers practising in England and Wales of which 10,033 were male and 5,354 were female. The website includes links such as:

• “Practice updates and guidance” — ( http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/for-the-bar/practice-updates-and-guidance/ )
• “News and press releases” — ( http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-centre/news-and-press-releases/ )
• “Publications” — ( http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-centre/publications/ )

As far as video and Australian Courts are concerned, the Supreme Court of Victoria does some live video and audio broadcasting of events, ceremonies and some judgments online:

http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/home/about+the+court/audio+and+video

Thanks to my chamber colleague Christopher Tam for his assistance in compiling the above.

John Meredith

Callinan Chambers

5 June 2013