‘All rise, if able': Centuries-old court tradition makes way for ‘woke' alternative
Officials in charge of courts in England and Wales have decreed that the change will be introduced across all courtrooms in the coming weeks to help to create 'a more welcoming environment' for defendants, witnesses and members of the public who may be disabled.
The move, to make hearings 'more inclusive', is believed to be the first change to a tradition dating back to mediaeval times. The statement will be made by court staff, irrespective of whether any disabled people are present in the courtroom.
'It will now become standard whenever such an announcement is made at the start of a hearing, regardless of whether it is known that a person who finds it difficult to stand due to a disability or health condition is present,' according to the internal message sent out to courts last month.
It comes after The Telegraph revealed last month that courts had been urged to draw up new rules for 'emotional support animals' in court after warnings that defendants' barking dogs were disrupting proceedings.
The new move has, however, upset traditionalists, who described it as 'unnecessary virtue-signalling' when there had never been any anticipation previously that a disabled person would have to stand up.
Jack Rankin, a Tory MP, said: 'Changing a legal convention which dates back to mediaeval times to be supposedly more inclusive is totally unnecessary virtue-signalling.
'For centuries, people who are unable to literally rise have been present and partaken fully in the business of Britain's courts. I don't remember this ever being an issue. I worry how much time has been consumed in both proposing and implementing this change, and can't help thinking this would be put to better use in cutting the judicial backlog.'
Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, said: 'Another tradition trashed to the god of wokery. What a ludicrous waste of time and energy reviewing this sort of nonsense.'
'Reasonable adjustments'
The tradition of saying 'All rise' originated in the royal courts of England some 1,000 years ago, when judges, often carrying a Bible, were seen as representatives of the King's or Queen's justice.
Standing showed respect for the judge, the Bible, which represented the law, and the monarch. This tradition has continued until today as a sign of deference to the authority of the court and the judicial system.
The change was proposed by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to 'demonstrate a willingness to make reasonable adjustments for physical disability', according to the internal memo sent to the courts.
The memo added: 'It will help to create a welcoming environment for all those who attend hearings in courts and tribunals, particularly those who may face challenges on grounds of disability.'
However, the executive note admitted there were cases where those attending were not required to stand. 'In some types of hearing, there is no requirement to stand when the judicial office holder enters, but still on occasions people present in the court or hearing room do stand,' it said.
'In these circumstances, HMCTS staff and judicial office holders are encouraged to use an appropriate version of the above announcement to inform those present that they are not required to stand.'
The change to 'All rise' has now been included in the Equal Treatment Bench Book for court staff, judges and magistrates, which aims to 'increase awareness and understanding of the different circumstances of people appearing in courts and tribunals.'
The 340-page book includes guidance for courts on physical and mental disability including options for remote hearings or even sittings at a person's home should a disabled person not be able to attend.
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