Written question asked by Nick Timothy (Conservative) on Thursday, 2 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 (named day). It was answered by Sarah Sackman (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Courts: Members

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether Lord Justice Green has ordered that official visits to courts by hon. Members be postponed and that judges be banned from speaking to hon. Members.

Answer

Courts are public buildings, open for anyone to attend and observe hearings.

The judiciary host visits by parliamentarians to courts and tribunals, to enhance understanding of how the system works and so that MPs can see first-hand the vital work that judges and court staff do every day. Those visits are always subject to agreeing a suitable time, and there are examples where the senior judiciary have requested that visits do not take place for periods of time, either related to operational issues or to preserve judicial independence and maintain public confidence in the judiciary’s neutrality.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 15489
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Courts Judges Members Regulation Visits
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Courts: Members

Secondary information

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