The lord chief justice has issued guidance indicating that journalists and others may tweet from the courtroom, provided this does not interfere with the administration of justice.



The decision, contained in interim guidance issued today, comes after journalists were allowed to use Twitter to give live updates at the bail hearing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Previously, mobile phones had to be switched off in court and individuals were only permitted to make live test-based communications of the proceeding with the consent of the judge.

Lord Judge said: ‘The use of an unobtrusive, handheld, virtually silent piece of modern equipment for the purposes of simultaneous reporting of proceedings to the outside world as they unfold in court is generally unlikely to interfere with the proper administration of justice.’

He said that the danger to the administration of justice was ‘likely to be at its most acute’ during criminal trials, where witnesses can be coached before they give evidence about what has been happening inside the courtroom.

‘However, the danger is not confined to criminal proceedings – in civil and sometimes family proceedings, simultaneous reporting from the courtroom may create pressure on witnesses, distracting or worrying them,’ Judge added.

The interim guidance covers the use of mobile, email and social media such as Twitter, and internet-enabled laptops. It has immediate effect, but a consultation is to follow.

Meanwhile, a law firm has claimed to be the first in the UK to give free legal advice via Twitter.

Bristol personal injury firm Loyalty Law has set up Twitter-based firm @thelegaloracle to answer queries ‘tweeted’ by prospective clients.

Loyalty Law managing director Nicholas Jervis said: ‘People are wary of contacting a firm of solicitors in case it costs them £200 just for saying hello. We believe our Twitter service will show them that we are approachable real people, and not standoffish at all.’

The new service has already received a number of queries regarding claims for personal injury and disputes between landlords and tenants. Jervis said: ‘Perhaps 80% of enquirers take things no further, but if the remaining 20% become clients, then the effort is very worthwhile.’