§ 43. Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the use of the dock in criminal trials. [118169]
§ Jane KennedyDocks provide security for those in the courtroom as well as adding a degree of formality to the hearing. They provide a practical system that has worked over the years. There are no plans to make any changes to the existing arrangements for adult cases. In the youth court a more informal style may be appropriate such as that in the Inner London Youth Courts where there is no dock. The defendant normally sits with his parent or youth justice worker and lawyer. All parties are at the same level. This can help communication and engage the defendant in the proceedings. That is why my Department and the Home Office have sponsored the youth demonstration projects in Leicestershire with Rutland and in Rotherham. They are independently evaluated programmes that investigate ways in which young offenders, and those responsible for them—parents and family—can be engaged more effectively in the court process. The programmes are also exploring the potential benefits of greater transparency in the youth justice process, physical and environmental changes, and more feedback to justices on the effect of their sentencing. The projects are being evaluated by Sheffield University, and the findings will be used to inform good practice advice for all youth courts later this year.