Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that Magistrates courts (a) limit observers and (b) enforce covid-19 lockdown regulations in the context of observing a court hearing not being a legitimate reasons to leave home.

Courthouses have been individually assessed, in accordance with guidance approved by Public Health England and Public Health Wales. These assessments include limiting the capacity of waiting areas and courtrooms to enable everyone to observe social distancing requirements.

Magistrates’ courts are under a statutory duty to sit in open court and the public must be admitted, subject to it being safe to do so. It is the responsibility of the police and local authorities to enforce the covid-19 lockdown regulations.