UK MoJ expands remote hearings pilot and rebrands Blitz courts as short trial courts
The UK Ministry of Justice announced on October 12, 2026, a pilot expanding remote hearings so cases can be transferred digitally to judges anywhere in England and Wales, alongside rebranding Blitz courts as short trial courts prioritizing domestic abuse, drug and knife crime, the Law Gazette and a GOV.UK release reported. Future expansion is subject to evaluation and judicial approval.
Text (Law Gazette) → · GOV.UK
Key points
- The MoJ launched a pilot transferring cases digitally to judges anywhere in England and Wales.Law GazetteGOV.UK
- Participants may still apply to the judge for a face-to-face hearing.Law GazetteGOV.UK
- New live-link arrangements for police witness evidence were agreed with NPCC and the CPS.Law GazetteGOV.UK
- Blitz courts were rebranded short trial courts prioritizing domestic abuse, drug and knife crime.Law Gazette
- Future pilot expansion is subject to evaluation and judicial approval.Law GazetteGOV.UK