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Justice week 2021
25/02/2021
Covid-19 and English Courts: An interview with His Honour Judge John Burgess
For Justice Week 2021, we interviewed His Honour Judge John Burgess from Nottingham’s Crown Court Service about the impact of COVID-19 on legal proceedings in Nottingham. You can read the conversation in full here.
How easy has it been for people to access the justice system throughout the Covid-19 pandemic?
“Whilst courts have remained open, different courts have had to operate in different ways. For example, civil courts and county courts have moved to remote hearings, whereas crown courts have continued to hold in-house hearings. This is because crown courts use a jury and managing jurors remotely would have been far too complex for court officials. Additionally, in criminal cases, defendants (the person standing accused) need to be present.
It’s been tricky, but the courts have done much to keeping everyone safe. Here are some examples of measures in place at Nottingham’s crown court:
- The witness stand is disinfected after each use.
- Perspex screens have been fitted throughout the courts.
- Jurors remain a 2-metre distance from each other.
- Court officials remain a 2-metre distance from each other.
- We’ve removed counsel rows and rearranged the layout to make social distancing easier.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but as you can see, we take the safety of court staff, visitors and all those in attendance very seriously.
Although crown courts remain open for trials, some of the work is done remotely, which isn’t always easy. 2 dimensional contact is not as good as in-person contact because you can’t read a person’s body language, nor can you intervene as easily if necessary.”
Have trials slowed down since Covid-19?
“A little bit, yes. This is mainly because jurors come in separately now as opposed to entering as one large group, so getting everyone in slows things down somewhat.”
In ‘normal’ times, any member of the public over the age of 14 can sit in on a trial. Has this stopped at the moment?
“Yes, courts are running on a reduced capacity at the moment, and our priority is to reserve space for people who are invested in the trial. This might include family members of the defendant, or family of the victim (if there is one). If there’s not enough space, we do have an overspill court which we can use. The trial is then live-streamed into that court. Our building wasn’t created with this in mind, so we’ve had a few minor teething problems along the way, but it’s been worth it. We want all trials to remain as accessible as possible to those who need/want to attend.”
In your view, has the pandemic affected the public’s trust in the law, the justice system and by extension, the government?
“I don’t have a view on this from a judicial standpoint, but as a member of the public, I understand the desire to get life back to normal and sympathise with the frustrations many have felt. It’s been difficult, but sometimes we need to sacrifice things for the greater good.”
And finally, mental health has been a hot topic recently. How are the courts continuing to support people throughout the pandemic?
“Witness support services remain open to anyone who needs to use them, and we take the welfare of court attendees very seriously. Unfortunately, there have been delays in the system for a while (even before the pandemic) which have resulted in slower processes. Court dates have been moved on occasion, which can cause anxiety for witnesses, defendants and their families, but we do what we can to support them.”
About Justice Week
Justice Week runs from March 1-5 and exists in order to improve the ability of the public to access justice. It has the following specific objectives:
- build public support and understanding for the rule of law and justice
- increase public understanding of the role of government in the justice system
- identify and secure support for actions which could improve justice
To find out more, click here.
Are you interested in a career in law? You might like this interview, ‘In conversation with…Judge Burgess’ from 2019. Watch here:
OTHER NEWS
The History of Borstals in England - Part 6 - Medical Care
Dan Ewers is a PhD researcher based at the University of Leeds. During 2023 he explored the archives held at the National Justice Museum researching the history of borstal institutions in the United Kingdom. In this blog, we’re going to be taking a closer look at the medical care of juveniles in borstals.
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UK-first bronze sculpture for Nottingham’s Broad Marsh Green Heart confirmed for early 2025
The National Justice Museum is delighted to confirm that over £250,000 has been raised to begin the casting of the life-size statue ‘Standing in This Place’, the first example of civic art of its kind in the UK.
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The History of Borstals in England - Part 5 - Education and Routine
Dan Ewers is a PhD researcher based at the University of Leeds. During 2023 he explored the archives held at the National Justice Museum researching the history of borstal institutions in the United Kingdom. This blog shares another important element of life for juveniles living in a borstal: education and training.
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The History of Borstals in England - Part 4 - Health
Dan Ewers is a PhD researcher based at the University of Leeds. During 2023 he explored the archives held at the National Justice Museum researching the history of borstal institutions in the United Kingdom. Over the next few months we will be sharing what Dan found out about health, wellbeing, and everyday life within borstal institutions.
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The History of Borstals in England - Part 3 - Food
Dan Ewers is a PhD researcher based at the University of Leeds. During 2023 he explored the archives held at the National Justice Museum researching the history of borstal institutions in the United Kingdom. Over the next few months we will be sharing what Dan found out about health, wellbeing, and everyday life within borstal institutions.
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Picture This: Hope - Blog by last year's residency winner, Francesca Hummler
Winner of last year’s Creative Residency Prize, Francesca Hummler is a German-American visual artist, writer, researcher, and curator working with photography currently based in London, England. In this blog, she shares her experience working with the National Justice Museum during her residency.
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The History of Borstals in England - Part 2 - Farming and Agriculture
Dan Ewers is a PhD researcher based at the University of Leeds. During 2023 he explored the archives held at the National Justice Museum researching the history of borstal institutions in the United Kingdom. Over the next few months we will be sharing what Dan found out about health, wellbeing, and everyday life within borstal institutions.
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The History of Borstals in England - Part 1 - Timeline
Dan Ewers is a PhD researcher based at the University of Leeds. During 2023 he explored the archives held at the National Justice Museum researching the history of borstal institutions in the United Kingdom. Over the next few months we will be sharing what Dan found out about health, wellbeing, and everyday life within borstal institutions.
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Find us on the Robin Hood Adventure Trail this summer
This summer, It’s in Nottingham invites families to embark on an exciting adventure with the Robin Hood Adventure Trail. This free event encourages families to help the legendary Robin Hood find his merry friends hidden across various cultural venues in Nottingham city centre.
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National Justice Museum announces judges for Picture This: Hope photography competition
The judging panel includes last year’s competition winner Francesca Hummler, London-based artist and writer Anthony Luvera, and ‘Godfather of Black British Photography’ Vanley Burke
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National Justice Museum and City of Caves Win Tripadvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Award 2024
Two iconic Nottingham attractions, the National Justice Museum and the City of Caves, are pleased to announce today that they have been recognised in Tripadivsor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024. The award honours businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor.
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National Justice Museum, Nottingham, appoints four new trustees to its board
The new trustees bring a range of expertise from the judiciary, diversity and inclusion, education, and media and communications to the historic Nottingham attraction
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National Justice Museum celebrates the life of its patron Lord Judge
National Justice Museum celebrates the life of its patron Lord Judge. Lord Judge was the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales and patron of our organisation.
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National Justice Museum and City of Caves Recognized as Tripadvisor® 2023 Travellers’ Choice® Award Winners
Two iconic Nottingham attractions, the National Justice Museum and the City of Caves, today announced they have each been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travellers’ Choice award winner. The coveted award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great traveller reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, placing these winners among the 10% of all listings on Tripadvisor globally.
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An iconic piece of LGBTQ+ history returns to public display at the National Justice Museum
Oscar Wilde’s cell door from Reading Gaol, where he was incarcerated for “gross indecency”, was previously loaned to Queer Britain in London
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National Justice Museum is awarded a £249,996 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The funding will allow the iconic Nottingham venue to create new job roles, deliver more workshops across the country, and create a brand-new escape room attraction.
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Immersive, site-specific performances come to the National Justice Museum for one day only
Four experimental performances will be scattered throughout the historic gaol for curious visitors to find
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National Justice Museum's Open Court podcast back for a second season
Retired Judge and former Barrister John Burgess leads a series of interviews taking you behind the scenes of the Justice system
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Family devastation brought closer to home in knife crime prevention workshops
The heart-breaking accounts of Nottinghamshire families who lost loved ones to knife crime will be added to an award-winning workshop.
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National Justice Museum announce recipient of £1000 photography award
The National Justice Museum has announced the recipient of a £1000 prize as part of their Freedom photography exhibition. The award includes a creative residency at the National Justice Museum in 2023 with a £1,000 budget, decided by a panel of esteemed and expert photographers Brian Griffin, Amanda Sinclair, and Ofilaye.
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National Justice Museum recognised as one of England’s outstanding cultural organisations through Arts Council England’s National Portfolio
The scheme highlights leading arts and heritage organisations in the country and comes with over £700,000 of investment for the Lace Market venue
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National Justice Museum’s new open-call photography exhibition, Freedom, to open in November
The exhibition opens on Saturday 12th November and will feature over 200 black and white images submitted by the public
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The National Justice Museum explores untold stories of Black presence
Tours, events, and displays are planned throughout October in the culmination of months of research into Black presence at the historic site
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National Justice Museum opens call out for object donations from Black Legal Professionals
The National Justice Museum is looking to expand its collection to reflect the diversity within the legal profession, and to share the lived experiences and the contributions made by Black legal professionals.
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National Justice Museum announces judges for Freedom photography competition
World world-renowned photographer, writer and director Brian Griffin leads a panel of judges for the National Justice Museum’s open call photography exhibition on the theme of Freedom. Griffin, along with fellow judges Amanda Sinclair and Ofilaye, will choose from hundreds of applicants to award a creative residency at the National Justice Museum in 2023 with £1,000 budget for the lucky winner.
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National Justice Museum Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award
National Justice Museum today announced it has been recognised by Tripadvisor as a 2022 Travellers’ Choice award winner. The award celebrates businesses that have received great reviews from travellers around the globe on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. As challenging as the past year was, National Justice Museum stood out by consistently delivering positive experiences to travellers.
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Rolls Building Art and Education Trust & The Technology and Construction Court Art Competition
2023 is the 150th anniversary of The Technology and Construction Court (TCC), a major specialist Court that deals with disputes about building, engineering and all kinds of technology including software. The TCC is based in the Rolls Building, a spacious and modern courthouse in London's legal heartland.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, there will be a competition for young artists. Entries can be 2D artworks in any medium (except exclusively photography) and relate to the themes of Construction or Technology.
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National Justice Museum opens submissions for photography exhibition with a £1,000 prize at stake
The call out is open to photographers from around the UK, from professionals to amateurs
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National Justice Museum to receive £362,900 in fund which helps safeguard nation's cultural heritage
The National Justice Museum in Nottingham has been awarded a grant of £362,900 by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, delivered by Arts Council England.
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The National Justice Museum publishes Letters of Constraint
The newly released book is an intimate collection of letters and diary entries from lockdown
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National Justice Museum wins Best Museums Change Lives Project at Museums Change Lives Awards 2021
The National Justice Museum has been awarded the Best Museums Change Lives Project at this year’s Museums Change Lives awards for our Make it Yours: Workshops in an Envelope project.
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Welcome back S.H.E.D!
For two weeks in August 2021 summer, the National Justice Museum hosted a variety of exciting events, film screenings, talks and activities as part of S.H.E.D - the Social Higher Education Depot.
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‘Freed Soul’ letters
For Women’s History Month 2021, we’re sharing a collection of Charlotte Bryant letters from our archives.
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Justice week 2021
An interview with His Honour Judge John Burgess about the impact of COVID-19 on legal proceedings in Nottingham.
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Ghost stories with Claire
We catch up with our former ghost tour extraordinaire Claire Finn to see whether she has any spooky stories to tell.
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Autism and me
Michael, one of our educational facilitators at the National Justice Museum tells up about the positives of being Autistic.
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Staying proud
With so many changes within legislation and human rights, the question has emerged in recent years; why is Pride still relevant?
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Ultimate travel list
We’re delighted that the National Justice Museum has been chosen as one of the 500 top experiences and hidden gems in Great Britain.
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The ‘Bloody Code’?
The Bloody Code imposed the death penalty for over 200 offences – many of which were surprisingly trivial.
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Sandford award
Nottingham’s National Justice Museum has received a prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Education.
Read moreWe like to keep in touch…
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