Brutal review from a (London-based) judge on remote links, specifically Cloud Video Platform.

Suggests the 'judiciary as a body is very unenthusiastic about using remote links in trials and only support it if a medical issue makes it unsafe to come to court'.

He said this of Cloud Video Platform: "It is becoming more and more unstable, it is constantly failing or you constantly can't hear people."
The judge said one defendant couldn't hear & "had to resort to putting his hand up & down to indicate whether he was saying 'yes' or 'no'."

He said witnesses need to be told truthfully that remote links are "extremely unreliable", and that if they try it the whole case may fall apart due to technical problems and they will have to come to court anyway.
"We need to be open with witnesses about what's going on".

The judge added that HMCTS has a new video platform "not even tried and tested" which is on the way, saying there is "scope for it being a complete and utter disaster".