Kenneth Clarke

Justice secretary Ken Clarke said he could find 'no good reason' cameras should not be allowed to film parts of court hearings

Credit: Matt Dunham/PA

The justice secretary Ken Clarke has indicated that the ban on filming in UK law courts will be lifted in an effort to improve public understanding of the legal system.

Clarke said that televising parts of court hearings is a "good idea" and would help to "demystify the process".

His comments follow news that David Cameron is expected to announce later this month that he backs plans to allow broadcasters to film.

It is understood that the government's plans would restrict coverage to the judges' sentencing remarks, and not allow victims, witnesses or members of the jury to be filmed.

Filming is currently banned in all UK courts except the supreme court.

Speaking to Sky News outside his home this afternoon, Clarke said he could see "no good reason" cameras should not be allowed "to record and give to the public the remarks of the judge".

But he stressed that the move would not be about entertainment: "What we don't want is theatre. We want to encourage people to have confidence in the system."

Clarke said that the court of appeal was the "obvious place to start", followed by the crown court.

A spokesman for the Judicial Office said: "The Lord Chief Justice is aware of the government's intentions and will work with them to ensure that any changes to the current position safeguard all parties in a case and will not affect the administration of justice."

The move is understood to be due in part to an open letter to Clarke written by Sky News chief John Ryley, which urged the justice secretary to take action over court broadcasting rules.

Ryley criticised the UK judicial system for a "lack of transparency" in the wake of the controversial sentences handed down to some of those arrested in connection with the recent riots.

"The public is unsurprisingly confused by the discrepancies in some of the sentences handed down to those involved in the rioting and looting.

"I believe that if television cameras were allowed to broadcast the remarks made by judges when they pass sentence, it would go a long way to making the process more transparent and would dramatically improve public confidence in the system."

Ryley was responsible for launching a Sky News campaign in January 2010 calling for filming restrictions to be lifted.

Scottish law courts have allowed filming since 1992, but only if all parties in the case give consent.
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