Reporters cleared to Twitter from court

As he handed down new guidance on using laptops and hand-held devices to communicate directly from courts in England and Wales, Lord Judge told reporters present: “Twitter as much as you like from today.”

But he warned that permission to use live, text-based communications from court may be withdrawn “at any time” if it appeared to be interfering with the administration of justice.

Interim guidance was first issued on December 20 2010, under which journalists had to make an application to a judge to request permission to use electronic devices to send text.

Lord Judge then consulted widely on the issue, including with the media, the Secretary of State for Justice, the Attorney General and members of the public.

After considering those responses, he yesterday published the new guidance, which takes immediate effect.

It makes clear that there is no longer any need for representatives of the media and legal commentators to make an application to use text-based devices to communicate from court.

But members of the public will have to make an application if they want to use the devices.

The guidance makes clear that photography in court remains strictly forbidden. And it emphasises that anyone using electronic text is strictly bound by the existing restrictions on reporting court proceedings under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

Lord Judge said: “It is presumed that a representative of the media or a legal commentator using live, text-based communications from court does not pose a danger of interference to the proper administration of justice in the individual case.

“This is because the most obvious purpose of permitting the use of live, text-based communications would be to enable the media to produce fair and accurate reports of the proceedings.”