Media information
See other panels for details of the court hearings and venue.
Evidence is published in the table listed in the panel itled
Public meetings, sitting days and witnesses
Space for media is very limited and accredited media who have
applied have been allocated spaces in the court room. Further seats
have been allocated for accredited media in the annexe room on the
same floor, which is served by video and audio link, and also has a
screen showing the instant transcript service. Full corrected
transcripts will be uploaded onto this website daily. Key video
evidence will also be signposted from this website.
As noted under Public Information, the annexe is an extension of
the court and covered by the rules of procedure set by His Honour
Judge Peter Thornton QC. The usual court reporting rules will
apply to the court room AND the court annexe. See guidelines
below.
Guidelines
No unsolicited media interviews inside the
IDRC: Media representatives are requested not to approach
any of those taking part in the hearing (or attending it as
bereaved members of the family) inside 70 Fleet Street. To request
an interview, please contact the Coroner's Officer
witnesses@tomlinsoninquest.org.uk
in advance.
Restrictions on photography: The taking of
pictures is strictly forbidden within the court, the court annexe,
the whole of the IDRC building and its precincts and no
photographs may be taken of any person entering or leaving the
building. See notes below.
Note A: See Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act (1925).
See full details (below).
Note B: In a case in 2004 the Court of Appeal upheld a 12-month
sentence for Contempt of Court where a mobile
telephone had been used to take photographs in a court
complex.
Mobile phones and Blackberries may be used inside
the IDRC building but MUST be switched off inside the court room
and the annexe.
Tape recording machines of any kind must NOT be
used inside the court room or the annexe. This is also a Contempt
of Court.
Cameras must NOT be brought into the IDRC and
camera functions on other equipment must NOT be used.
Laptops MAY be used in the courtroom by accredited
media but only for writing and NOT for internet or other
uses. However, tweeting is allowed in the court room by
accredited media but only from laptops – not from phones.
In the annexe, there is more freedom for accredited media to use
equipment for the purposes of providing media coverage BUT no
pictures of any kind may be taken and the annexe room will be
silent and orderly so that members of the public and other members
of the media can watch and listen to the hearing – in a dignified
manner.
Section 41, Criminal Justice Act 1925
41 Prohibition on taking photographs, &c., in
court.
(1) No person shall—
(a) take or attempt to take in any court any photograph, or with a
view to publication make or attempt to make in any court any
portrait or sketch, of any person, being a judge of the court or a
juror or a witness in or a party to any proceedings before the
court, whether civil or criminal; or
(b) publish any photograph, portrait or sketch taken or made in
contravention of the foregoing provisions of this section or any
reproduction thereof;
and if any person acts in contravention of this section he shall,
on summary conviction, be liable in respect of each offence to a
fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(2) For the purposes of this section—
(a) the expression “court” means any court of justice, including
the court of a coroner:
(b) the expression “Judge” includes . . ., registrar, magistrate,
justice and coroner:
(c) a photograph, portrait or sketch shall be deemed to be a
photograph, portrait or sketch taken or made in court if it is
taken or made in the court–room or in the building or in the
precincts of the building in which the court is held, or if it is a
photograph, portrait or sketch taken or made of the person while he
is entering or leaving the court–room or any such building or
precincts as aforesaid.
Media enquiries:
pressenquiry@tomlinsoninquest.org.uk
020 7332 1455