Remote hearings

A Local Authority v Mother, Father and SX (by his Children's Guardian) [2020] EWHC 1086 (Fam)

During the lockdown period a wide range of business has been conducted remotely using Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other technology. It was recognised early in lockdown that court hearings could be conducted remotely, especially when it was necessary to make an urgent decision. In care proceedings concerning a four-year-old boy whose parents were accused of causing fatal injuries to the boy’s infant sister, it was appropriate, having considered the factors in Re A (Children) (Remote Hearing: Care and Placement Orders), [2020] EWCA Civ 583, to conduct a remote hearing by video link to hear the parents’ evidence and not to adjourn the matter.