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Cameras to be allowed in courts next month after receiving final Commons approval

By PA Media Lawyer

Live television broadcasting in courts for the first time is a step closer after receiving final approval in the House of Commons.

Broadcasting will be allowed for criminal and civil cases in the Court of Appeal from next month, where filming will be allowed of the legal arguments and the final judgment.

The Government then intends to extend filming to allow the broadcast of sentencing remarks in the Crown Court.

However, victims, witnesses, offenders and jurors will continue to be protected, and will not be part of broadcasts.

Courts minister Helen Grant said: "Justice must be seen to be done, that is why we are introducing limited television broadcasting in courts from next month.

"We are opening up the court process to allow people to see and hear the judges' decisions in their own words, but we will also ensure that victims and witnesses will not be filmed and will remain protected."

The proposals will now be debated in the House of Lords before coming into effect in October.

Proceedings in the country's highest court, the Supreme Court, are already streamed live on the internet.

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