However, 80% agreed the risk to them and their family could be reduced to an acceptable level if all the safety measures mentioned in the survey were implemented.
These measures, which were all supported by the vast majority of respondents, included deep cleaning of courts between trials, as well as the supply of disinfectant, hand sanitiser, paper towels and adequate washing facilities, and the supply of plastic or glass screens so they could safely confer with defendants and witnesses. More than 90% thought it either essential or desirable that HM Courts and Tribunals supply PPE (personal protective equipment) in line with any government guidance to counsel, defendants, witnesses and court staff.
The results of the survey, completed by 1,878 barristers, were published last week.
CBA chair Caroline Goodwin QC said: ‘My recollection of the court estate was of dirty courts, broken seats, waste bins left overflowing, unkempt poorly cleaned and frankly unloved neglected buildings.’ However, a clean-up operation has taken place. Goodwin said she has visited courts including Newcastle, Leeds, Old Bailey, Cardiff, Bristol, Warwick and Minshull street, and ‘from the custody suite arrangements for conference, to the marking out with gaffer tape, the buildings look and feel very different’.
Meanwhile, jury trials were listed to start in Reading, Warwick and Winchester Crown Courts this week. Jury trials have also been taking place at Manchester Minshull Street, Bristol, Cardiff and The Old Bailey.
Mr Justice Edis, chair of the Jury Trials Working Group, which is looking for safe ways for jury trials to proceed, said: ‘The feedback received from participants, including court staff, jurors, witnesses and legal professionals, has been positive.’
