A family judge will be replaced in a family case after private comments overheard on a Zoom call
In the family law case, C (A Child) [2020], comments were overheard about the mother in a care proceedings hearing.
The unfortunate situation arose when an associate took the judge’s closed laptop through to her room but the remote link to the court room remained open. Those who remained on the conference call were able to overhear the judge’s private telephone conversation with her clerk.
Ruling in the appeal, Lady Justice King stressed that there was no suggestion that Mrs Justice Judd had demonstrated any bias prior to her overheard comment.
The case emphasises the need to follow correct court procedures when using electronic remote technology. Care must be taken, especially now in the current pressured situation as family judges at all levels, court users and law professionals are working and attending in unusual circumstances, often using new technology. Not all court users are familiar with remote conferencing or new tech methods used and this needs to be addressed.
This can be additionally unusual in a hybrid hearing, with some court users present in person, some remotely.