Court Proceedings

It is a criminal offence to take a photograph in law court, and an additional offence to publish any photo taken in a court. The penalty is a fine of up to a maximum of £1.000. This restriction extends beyond the court room itself to anywhere in the building and to “the precincts of the court” i.e. the surrounding area. The extent of “the precincts of the court” is not defined anywhere and the authorities often turn a blind eye to photography outside the court building.

Tribunals of Inquiry are not covered by the prohibition on taking photographs in court, and it is up to the individual tribunal to decide whether it will allow photographs of the proceedings.

Be aware that, even when it is legal to take photographs it might not be legal to publish them. There are restrictions on the publication of photographs of people involved in legal proceedings, even when these are taken away from the court, if they would prejudice the course of justice, endanger a witness or identify the victim of a sexual offence. It is an offence to publish any image of a voting person under 18 who is involved in any legal proceedings, whether as part or as a witness. The court can, by order, lift the restrictions.