Thu, 12 Jul 2018
The spotlight will fall on the £1billion investment to bring the courts and tribunals system into the 21st Century in a seminar organised by No5, in conjunction with the Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA).
The Right Honourable Sir Ernest Ryder, Senior President of Tribunals and Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal, one of the most senior judges in the country, will speak at the Justice in the Modern Way seminar.
The joint event by No5 and ALBA, Justice in a Modern Way will take place at the Clayton Hotel, Birmingham, from 14:00 – 17:00. The event is free to attend.
The speakers also include No5 barrister Abid Mahmood, a leading human rights barrister and a part-time judge in the Courts and Tribunals, who has organised the event. The Chairman of the Administrative Law Bar Association, Martin Westgate QC, will also speak.
Mr Mahmood said: “The Senior President will address the audience with the massive changes which are taking place and due to take place at the Courts and Tribunals. No doubt he will give further details of the investment of some £1billion to modernise the courts and tribunals system. There will be a switch to digital working that aims to bring the courts and tribunals into the 21st century. We have already seen improvements with internet access in court buildings and a move away from paper to online working in some courts.
“It is likely that there will be questions asked about the closure of some smaller courts with court users instead having to attend more centralised courts in bigger town and city centres. The issue of how court users, who are sometimes vulnerable and without funds, are expected to travel to such courts for their hearings, or as witnesses, has been raised as a real concern in the media. As has the issue of job losses of court staff who have provided decades of service at the courts which are or have been closed.
“During the event, there will also be a discussion about there being more remote video hearings and online hearings but with less physical courtrooms. Does this suit the millennials but not those who have not or cannot engage with the internet age? How will “justice for all” be achieved,” he added.
There will be a networking session at 2pm with the talks commencing at 2.30pm. There will also be a drinks and networking event at 4.30pm onwards.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is essential, and places are limited. For more information visit https://www.no5.com/seminars/434-justice-in-a-modern-way-alba/
