Twitter is really a modern phenomenon that has already been fiercely argued by a number of individuals and also companies right from around the globe. The country’s top judge has warned that incorrect use of the internet throughout studies may jeopardize the longer term in the jury system.
Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, fears that court-based tweeting increases the risk of a mistrial. He explained it had been too simple for campaigners to saturate the micro-blogging web site with messages in a bid to effect jurors.
The most senior judge inside England and Wales is searching for more robust warnings for jurors over internet use. The Lord Chief Justice declared “We cannot stop people tweeting, but if jurors look at such material, the risks to the fairness of the trial will be very serious, and ultimately the openness of the trial process on which we all rely would be damaged,” he said.
“We have to remember that tweets stay on the internet and to allow court-based tweeting is likely to increase the potential for prejudicial material regarding a defendant or a witness to become available on the internet.”
He added: “We welcome advances in technology, provided that we are its masters and it is our tool and servant.”
Lord Judge asked whether or not the text-based transmission associated with material from the courtroom ought to be banned, expressing he could find absolutely no legal prohibition upon it’s use, but tape recordings have been banned in the Contempt of Court Act.
“Why is Twitter in the form of text-based transmission of material from court any different?” he asked. This question has yet to be resolved, and the selection might have a considerable impact on our procedures.
To resolve this problem there are numerous issues which will need to be sorted for numerous levels. However if it becomes illegal to tweet in case you are part of the jury throughout a trial it may put individuals off. A possible problem with this is always that monitoring twitter becomes necessary and there’s so much to observe. IBB Solicitors are recognised in The Legal 500 as a South East regional heavyweight. IBB Solicitors in London are recognised as leaders and experts across a number of areas by the UK’s independent legal directories. Good London solicitors are crucial in legal matters and IBB is regarded as a region leader.
