Section 48 and Schedule 18: Powers to act for the protection of public health: Northern Ireland Section 55 and Schedule 25: Public participation in proceedings conducted by video or audio
This Schedule inserts new sections 85A, 85B, 85C and 85D to the Courts Act 2003, making provisions for the live streaming of wholly audio or video hearings.
	The new sections of the Act provide that proceedings which are conducted as wholly video proceedings or wholly audio proceedings (a "fully virtual" hearing) can be broadcast so members of the public can observe proceedings or be made for record-keeping purposes (section 85A). It is an offence to make, or attempt to make, an unauthorised recording or transmission which relates to the broadcasting of such proceedings. The maximum penalty for being found guilty of such an offence is a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000) (section 85B). It is also an offence to make, or attempt to make an unauthorised recording or transmission of an image or sound which is being transmitted through a live audio or video link including in relation to a person’s participation in court proceedings through a live link. This includes a recording or transmission of the person’s own participation. The maximum penalty for being found guilty of such an offence is a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000) (section 85C).
	The Schedule also inserts new sections 29A, 29B, 29C and 29D to the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, making provisions for the live streaming of wholly audio or wholly video hearings. New sections 29A to 29D to that Act make identical provision as that in s85A to 85D of the Courts Act 2003 for wholly video or wholly audio proceedings in First‐tier Tribunals and Upper Tribunals.
	The territorial extent and application of this section in respect of paragraph 1 to Schedule 25 is England and Wales only.
	The territorial extent and application in respect of paragraph 2 to Schedule 25 is England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.