Judge welcomes exemption of courts from lockdown
A senior judge in the Black Country has said it is important justice continues to be done amid the second lockdown.
The UK is set to go into a second lockdown on Thursday due to a rise in coronavirus cases.
However, courts will be exempt from closing, which Mr Michael Chambers QC, who oversees cases at Wolverhampton Crown Court, said was important in allowing "justice to continue".
In the last lockdown, which began in March, there was a short pause which affected courts, said the UK's Lord Chief of Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon.
The judicial system has seen a backlog of cases increase over the past six months.
However, this time there will be no pause. Trials involving more than one defendant resumed at Wolverhampton Crown Court earlier this year which was welcomed by Mr Chambers in September.
Speaking this week, Mr Chambers said: "The implications of the second lockdown is those in school and work will be expected to do so [continue attending].
"As to the implications of the court situation, the Lord Chief of Justice has emphasised that courts will continue every day.
"It is very important that justice and the judicial system that they are allowed to continue on Thursday [the first day of the second lockdown] and during the lockdown."
In a joint statement on November 1, which was released by the Lord Chief of Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals, Sir Keith John Lindblom, they said: "It is vital for the well-being of the country that the administration of justice continues to operate.
"The legal profession, the parties, jurors, witnesses, judges, magistrates and court staff are all key workers, vital to the continued running of the courts and tribunals in this proposed period of renewed significant restrictions.
"Our experience since March has left us much better prepared."