Camera shy solicitors

Solicitors still back old oak-lined courtrooms and their traditions, including opposition to cameras in court, research has revealed.The study, by witness training consultants Bond Solon, found that 90 of the 100 solicitors surveyed were against both television coverage and photography in courrt.

Nearly all respondents - 97% - opposed newspapers being allowed to enter into contracts with witnesses prior to proceedings.More than 90% said that age-old court procedures and structures should be retained, with 93% backing the oath and affirmation, and 97% giving the thumbs down to the abolition of witness boxes.

Two-thirds believed in the retention of affidavit evidence.Less than a quarter maintained that witnesses should be given immunity from prosecution, with 57% saying there should be financial penalties for those who turn up late to court.Despite this, Bond Solon director Mark Solon said many solicitors have concerns that the justice system is not affording witnesses enough protection.

This could be influenced by the fact that 57% of those questioned have given evidence themselves, he suggested.'There have been various high-profile cases, even over the last 12 months, where witnesses have been treated by the media outside court like they are getting wedding pictures of David Beckham,' Mr Solon said.

'Yet they are given so-called protection from the other media [ie, cameras in court].

This cannot be in the interests of justice.'Paula Rohan