Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect the safety and security of the judiciary in the normal course of their duties in family and other court settings.

Judicial security is paramount in enabling our independent judges to carry out their vital work freely and impartially. There are robust court security and safety systems in place to protect the judiciary and all court users from individuals and groups threatening violence or aggression. HMCTS has reviewed and refreshed physical security measures over the past year in partnership with the judiciary and is participating in the Security Taskforce newly created by the Lady Chief Justice.

These include controls to detect and prevent such threats. Specific measures include CCTV, alarms and access control systems. Court users are also subject to a security search on entry to detect and confiscate potential weapons, with Court Security Officers exercising powers to exclude, restrain and remove individuals or groups threatening violence.

These arrangements are continuously reviewed to ensure security is as effective as reasonably practicable. Throughout the upcoming financial year, the Government is investing an additional £22 million to deliver a programme of measures to further strengthen court and hearing room security arrangements. These include providing additional Court Security Officers and physical security systems to further reduce risks.