Section 48 and Schedule 18: Powers to act for the protection of public health: Northern Ireland Section 54 and Schedule 24: Expansion of availability of live links in other criminal hearings
Part 1 of the Schedule expands the use of live links in Part 3A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (the "CDA 1998") beyond the attendance of the accused at certain preliminary, sentencing and enforcement hearings to all participants in preliminary, sentencing and enforcement hearings.
	Paragraph 3 of the Schedule amends section 57B of the CDA 1998 to expand the availability of live links at preliminary hearings in a magistrates’ court or the Crown Court to include live video and audio links and all persons participating in the hearing, not solely live video links for the accused when in custody. Safeguards are introduced such that the court in making any live link direction in a preliminary hearing must be satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so. The parties or the relevant youth offending team must also have been given the opportunity to make representations.
	The Schedule makes similar provision in relation to live links in preliminary hearings as paragraph 2(5) of Schedule 23 does in relation to live links in ‘eligible criminal proceedings’. The provisions set out the factors that the court must consider when deciding whether to give, vary or rescind a live link direction.
	The Schedule allows for the expansion of the use of live links in sentencing hearings and enforcement hearings in a similar way to preliminary hearings.
	A court may not impose imprisonment or detention in default of payment of a sum at an enforcement hearing where proceedings are being conducted with participation via live audio link (other than for the purpose of giving evidence).
	Paragraph 6 inserts new section 57G of the CDA 1998 (requirement to attend court, perjury) which makes identical provision in relation to hearings conducted in accordance with a direction under section 57B, 57E or 57F as paragraph 4 of Schedule 23 does in relation to ‘eligible criminal proceedings’ conducted in accordance with a live link direction.
	The Schedule creates a new Schedule 3A to the CDA 1998, which introduces additional prohibitions and limitations on use of live links.
	Part 2 of the Schedule makes amendments to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 in accordance with the expanded powers to use live links under section 57B of the CDA 1998. It also amends section 22 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 to reflect the fact that a jury no longer determines whether a defendant is unfit to plead. It omits section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (evidence given by persons abroad through television links) as it is no longer required.
	The territorial extent and application of this section and Schedule in so far as they relate to Part 2 of the Schedule is England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	The territorial extent and application of the section and the Schedule so far as they relate to Parts 1 and 3 of the Schedule is England and Wales only.