Judiciary to launch live broadcasting of Court of Final Appeal cases on Apr 1

The Judiciary announced on Tuesday that starting April 1, a two-year pilot scheme will be initiated for the live broadcasting of substantive appellate proceedings in the Court of Final Appeal (CFA). 

This initiative aims to enhance the transparency of court procedures and strengthen public confidence in the judicial process.

The decision follows the Judiciary's commitment to uphold justice as a cornerstone for maintaining public trust and adhering to the rule of law. 

The pilot scheme will include live broadcasts of all substantive appeal cases, except where exclusions apply for the protection of children, mentally disabled adults, privacy concerns, trade secrets, commercial confidentiality, national security issues, high-profile public order cases, or politically sensitive matters. 

These exceptions are designed to preserve judicial decorum and ensure the fair administration of justice.

During the pilot, hearings that fall under these exceptions will remain open for public attendance, unless directed otherwise by the CFA. The first two CFA hearings to be broadcast live are scheduled for April 1 and 7.

The live broadcasts will be accessible on the CFA website, where the public can view proceedings via desktop computers or mobile devices equipped with common browsers. 

To prepare viewers, core written materials will be available on the CFA website prior to the hearings, and detailed information about accessing the live webcast will be provided closer to the court dates.

To protect the integrity of the proceedings, the public, including media representatives, is prohibited from recording the live webcast or using the broadcast footage for any purpose. 

Digital rights management techniques will be employed to prevent unauthorized recording, screen capturing, and illegal distribution of the footage. 

Following the live webcast, recordings of the proceedings will be available on the CFA website for one month to facilitate easy access and flexible viewing.

The live broadcasting will be managed using the Judiciary's in-house platform, a shift from the outsourcing model used during last year's trial runs. This change is intended to ensure a more cost-effective use of public resources.

The pilot scheme coincides with the anticipated resumption of the second reading debate of the Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill in the Legislative Council in late March. The bill includes offense provisions that will apply to unauthorized recordings and broadcasts during the pilot period.

Upon completion of the pilot scheme, the Judiciary will evaluate the outcomes to determine long-term plans for the continuation of live broadcasting of court proceedings outside court premises.