UK government launches online ‘video hearing’ pilot for tax appeals

The UK government has launched a pilot programme enabling people to have their tax appeal heard through an online “video hearing”.

The HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) said testing and evaluating the pilot would help it explore how video hearings might improve access to justice and help cases progress faster.

HMCTS are writing to potential participants this week to invite them to take part in the pilot, under which participants would log in from a location of their choice using a webcam with the judge in a courtroom.

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer QC said: “We are spending £1 billion on transforming and modernising the justice system. Video hearings have the potential to improve access to justice and speed up cases.”

Ms Frazer added: “This pilot will provide important information – together with an increasing body of evidence from other countries – to drive innovation to make the wider system quicker, smarter, and much more user-friendly.”

The UK government said HMCTS is “working closely with the judiciary to ensure the majesty of a physical courtroom will be upheld”.

The decision to use the new type of hearing will remain at the discretion of the judge, it said, and the format and