Manchester is set to see the introduction of a new ‘super courtroom’ designed to provide more space to hold large trials.
The modified larger courtroom – which is coming to Manchester Crown Court, within the existing Crown Square site – is set to be the first of its kind in the UK, and will be created with the intention of providing additional space to hold complex “multi-hander” cases.
Multi-hander cases are cases usually involving multiple defendants being tried together, and the types of cases cited by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as likely to be held include gang murder trials.
This is the latest scheme to be announced as the criminal justice system responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The introduction of the new super courtroom facility comes amid England’s third national lockdown, and after ongoing restrictions and social distancing measures over the past 11 months of the pandemic have meant that the court system has faced a number of challenges in accommodating large trials.
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At a recent Manchester Crown Court murder trial with four defendants, for example, the accused were held in docks in two separate court rooms, with two in one court and two in another.
A second courtroom then followed the trial by video link, from the court where the judge and jury were present, and such trials often also need to employ a third courtroom, which is used as the jury’s deliberation room.
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To help reduce delays in the justice system 14 new Nightingale courtrooms are opening at locations including London, Birmingham & Manchester. We have also announced a new 'super courtroom' due to be created to hear multi-hander cases.
That’s not the only new court coming to Manchester either.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has also announced this week that another new ‘Nightingale court’ will also be set up at The Hilton Hotel – located in the Beetham Tower on Deansgate – in an effort to “reduce delays” and “deliver speedier justice for victims”, while also “providing a financial boost to the venues”.
This new Manchester Hilton site will mostly hear non-custodial Crown Court cases.
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Alongside several other new UK locations, the Manchester Hilton will bring the total number of Nightingale courtrooms – which were set up across the country to enable more socially-distanced trials – to 60 by the end of March 2021.
“We have achieved an immense amount in our battle to keep justice moving during the pandemic,” the Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, said.
“Restarting jury trials before anyone else, turbo-charging the rollout of video technology, bringing magistrates’ backlogs down, and opening more courtrooms for jury trials [and now] these new courts are the latest step in that effort.
“I am determined to minimise delays and ensure justice is served for victims, defendants and the public.
“[And] that is why we are investing hundreds of millions to drive this recovery further, deliver swifter justice and support victims”.
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Hilton Manchester Deansgate
Both of Manchester’s new super courtroom and Nightingale court form part of a UK-wide £113 million investment to “alleviate pressures on courts and tribunals”, which has so far included the recruiting 1,600 extra staff, the deployment of further technology, and on-site safety precautions such as plexiglass screens.
The MoJ confirms that this is also on top of the £142 million being spent to speed up technological improvements and modernise courtrooms.
You can find more information via the gov.uk website here.
News
Andy Burnham invites Donald Trump to Manchester as two leaders speak on first call together
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has spoken to US President Donald Trump on a call for the first time since becoming Prime Minister.
Less than 24 hours after officially becoming Prime Minister and appearing outside the doors of Number 10 to give his first speech as leader, Andy Burnham and Donald Trump have had contact with each other – and the US President even described it as a ‘very good conversation’ that was ‘interesting’ and went ‘very well’.
According to the Prime Minister‘s office, the two leaders spoke about a range of different topics important to both countries.
Setting out his vision as Prime Minister, Burnham told Trump that he would focus on reindustrialisation up and down the country to ensure ‘good growth in every postcode’.
Andy Burnham has invited Donald Trump to visit Manchester / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Prime Minister also underlined his commitment to defence and security, and told the President that ensuring the security of the UK and its Allies was at the top of his agenda.
The President then updated on the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK’s commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country.
🚨 BREAKING: Donald Trump says his call with Andy Burnham went "very well"
It wasn’t all business though, as the pair also discussed the World Cup – with the Prime Minister congratulating the President on his country’s success as hosts, and agreeing that England had an excellent tournament.
And then came the all-important headline grabbing moment… that’s right, Andy Burnham has invited Donald Trump to visit Manchester.
According to the Government statement, Burnham said he also hoped that he would be able to ‘show the President what Manchester had to offer’ during a visit to the city sometime in the future.
Oh boy… we better get preparing ourselves already then.
Manchester Metropolitan University announce landmark partnership with MCR Basketball
Danny Jones
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Manchester Basketball have detailed a renewed and landmark partnership that looks set to nurture the next generation of talent.
Joining forces with MMU, this is not only the latest effort by MCR Basketball to further invest in young players and grassroots sports here in Manchester, but yet another example of further education creating viable routes into the game for their sporting stars of the future.
While the two organisations already boast an established relationship, this next step in their continued teamwork should prove even more fruitful for both parties, as the still only recently relaunched local basketball side looks to raise its profile in the city.
Confirming their intent to further intertwine their youth development setup and plans to innovate pathways for players, representatives from both met to confirm the announcement this week.
🤝 New partnership to drive basketball innovation & develop future talent. @ManMetUni & Manchester Basketball have announced a new strategic partnership to advance research, education and development of basketball to inspire the next generation of talent. #RepTheCity
With existing coaching staff already working between the two and both of the male and female training camps based over at Platt Lane Sports Complex, it only feels like a natural fit.
Moreover, this increased collaboration between the two is also a promising prospect for MMU Sport, specifically, meaning much more than just the sharing of facilities at the likes of Platt Lane over in Fallowfield and the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue.
As well as pooled resources, this will also crucially create potential opportunities for those at the uni or preparing to graduate, including student internships and more.
Claire Bradbury, Manchester Basketball CEO, said in an official statement: “As basketball in Manchester enters a new era, we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
“This is a true collaboration bringing together elite, professional basketball and leading academic sports expertise to create opportunities that support the development of players, staff and students.
Together we are investing in the future of basketball to grow the game in our region and working to establish the city of Manchester and Manchester Basketball as one of the leading basketball hubs in Europe.”
Man Met are looking pitch-perfect for the region’s leading ‘college ball’ feeder club, to use more American terminology, already.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, MMU’s Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at the Institute of Sport, went on to say: “Basketball is entering an incredibly exciting period, with growing participation, investment and visibility across Europe.”
For example, as well as the Super League Finals having been held at the AO Arena, the city is also most notably hosting a regular season NBA fixture at Co-op Live – a historic moment, to say the least.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Manchester Basketball at such an important time and look forward to creating opportunities for our students”, she adds, “supporting innovation through research and helping to grow the game across Manchester and beyond.”
In other MMU Sport-related news, their very own ‘Visiting Professor’, who has only just retired from the professional circuit, is also set to fly the flag for the institution and disabled athletes across the country.
The Manc -
18th February 2021 
