Submitted on Monday 23rd May 2016
Rejected on Wednesday 1st June 2016
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: no-action (see below for details)
Make witnesses give evidence in courts and tribunals with their face uncovered.
People communicate not only by what they say but by facial expressions. A jury member who uses lip reading to assist their understanding is disadvantaged in fulfilling their civil duty if the witness's face is covered.
Social and Psychological research into interpersonal communication and communication in general over the last 4 decades has established the claims made in the background evidence above to be well supported and accepted as fact.
You can't sign this petition because it was rejected. But you can still comment on it here at Repetition.me!
The Government e-Petitions Team gave the following reason:
We're not sure what additional action you want the Government or Parliament to take.
The courts already have powers to require witnesses and defendants to give evidence with their face uncovered. A new practice direction is expected from the Lord Chief Justice soon. This will provide more guidance for judges about when it will be appropriate to require people to uncover their faces in court. We cannot accept a petition relating to this practice direction, however, because the Lord Chief Justice is independent of both Government and Parliament. If you would like to raise your concern about face coverings in court with the Judicial Office, you can do so by writing to:
Judicial Office
11th floor, Thomas More Building
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London WC2A 2LL
Alternatively, you could start a new petition about face coverings in court which asks for clear and specific action from the Government or Parliament.
3.17.184.90 Sat, 04 May 2024 15:51:43 +0100
