Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7)

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 24 U.K. Live links in other criminal hearings

PART 1 E+W Expansion of powers under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Requirement to attend at court, holding proceedings in court etc E+W

6 E+W After section 57F there were inserted—

“57G Requirement to attend court, perjury

(1) A person who takes part in a hearing in accordance with a direction under section 57B, 57E or 57F is to be treated as complying with any requirement (however imposed or expressed) for that person to attend or appear before court, or surrender to the custody of the court, for the purposes of that participation in that hearing.

(2) A person who takes part in a hearing in accordance with a direction under section 57B, 57E or 57F is to be treated as present in court for the purposes of that hearing.

(3) A hearing that is conducted in accordance with directions under section 57B, 57E or 57F—

(a) wholly as an audio hearing, or

(b) wholly as a video hearing,

is to be regarded as taking place at the location where the member or members of the court take part in the hearing.

(4) A statement made on oath by a witness outside the United Kingdom and given in evidence through a live audio link or a live video link in accordance with a direction under this Part is to be treated for the purposes of section 1 of the Perjury Act 1911 as having been made in the proceedings in which it is given in evidence.”