Northern Ireland’s Department of Justice has made the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026 No. 55). Signed and sealed by the Minister of Justice, Naomi Long, on 16 March 2026, the Order keeps Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 27 to the Coronavirus Act 2020-and section 57 so far as it relates to those Parts-in force until 24 September 2026. The Department has made the instrument using powers in section 90(2) of the 2020 Act.
The Order is laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly under section 96(2) of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and requires Assembly approval within 40 days of being made. These procedural details are recorded in the instrument as published by legislation.gov.uk and reflected in the Department’s sealing of the Order on 16 March 2026.
Part 1 of Schedule 27 continues to permit the wider use of audio or video live links by all or any courts and by statutory tribunals in Northern Ireland. Judges may direct remote participation by parties, legal representatives and witnesses when appropriate, ensuring hearings can progress where in‑person attendance would otherwise be impracticable or unnecessary.
Part 2 of Schedule 27 remains in force to support open justice when live links are used. Courts can facilitate public and media observation by audio or video while prohibiting unauthorised recording or transmission of proceedings, maintaining transparency without compromising the proper conduct of cases.
The 2026 instrument follows S.R. 2025 No. 151, which extended the relevant provisions to 24 March 2026. Article 2 of the new Order replaces that date with 24 September 2026, providing a further six‑month operational window for live‑link arrangements across courts and tribunals.
For justice bodies and court users, the extension means remote and hybrid hearings remain available across criminal, civil and tribunal jurisdictions throughout the period to 24 September 2026. Listing officers can continue to schedule hearing modes in line with judicial directions and established practice notes.
For practitioners and parties, case management directions will continue to set the attendance mode, joining instructions and any requirements for digital document handling. Judges retain discretion to require in‑person attendance where that is necessary for fairness, effective participation or the quality of evidence.
In criminal proceedings, appearances by live link from custody remain available where ordered, supporting remand, bail and review hearings without routine physical production from custody. Operational arrangements between the courts and custodial facilities therefore continue unchanged under the extended provisions.
For members of the public and accredited journalists, the continuation of Part 2 means observation may be enabled through court‑managed audio or video access where permitted. Unauthorised recording or re‑broadcast remains prohibited, with courts setting conditions to protect the integrity of proceedings and safeguard participants.
The Department of Justice will now seek Assembly approval within the statutory 40‑day window. Any decision on availability of live links beyond 24 September 2026 would require further legislation or non‑renewal, at which point Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 27 would lapse in Northern Ireland.