Jersey court to allow sentencing remarks to be filmed

Wednesday, 3 December 2025 14:00

Judges' sentencing remarks will be recorded and broadcast in future, in a change for Jersey's Royal Court that was made in England in 2022.

It will mean the public will get to hear the moment punishment is handed down to a convicted offender.

Jersey's Bailiff has agreed the change - from today (3 December) - to permit the filming by the media of a judge's sentencing remarks.

It is hoped it will improve open justice and help the public understand the legal process and how decisions are made.

However, it will only be allowed in certain serious cases that are deemed of significant public interest, and will be 'the exception and not the rule'.

The footage, which will only feature the judge and not any jurats, defendants, lawyers, court staff, victims or witnesses, will be broadcast on radio, tv, and online.

It will normally apply only in sentencings before the Superior Number - a judge and five or more jurats who can impose prison terms of more than four years.

The Bailiff, Mr Robert MacRae said:

“Broadcasting judges’ sentencing remarks is a way of increasing transparency in the justice system.

"The Royal Court is committed to open justice, which is principally achieved by holding all criminal proceedings in public except where it is strictly necessary not to do so as such publicity may prejudice the interests of justice.

"This is an important step in ensuring that justice is as open as possible.”