Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in accordance with the advice of the Senior Presiding Judge and the Sentencing Council, it is permissible for magistrates to use their own technology in court, and what assessment they have made of whether consistent advice is being given in all magistrates' courts about that issue.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service has provided secure bench devices to enable magistrates to view sensitive case information, and other material, digitally in court. Magistrates may use their own equipment to access public and non-sensitive material in accordance with guidance issued by the Senior Presiding Judge.