Secret justice is an issue in the UK this morning - and rightly so.
I got a note on the issue from the Isle of Man though that said:
You will be aware of the UK Government plans to allow civil hearings to be held in secret. The Isle of Man as good as has secret hearings now. Here, the day's court business is not available either online or in a display cabinet at the courts, as it is anywhere in the UK or indeed, I understand, the rest of the civilised western world. Even at court reception it can be like pulling teeth finding out where a case is being held, even if you are one of the parties.
There are various courts - we have half a dozen or so of various sizes - and some do have public galleries but these are usually empty other than for well publicised cases. On more than one occasion I have walked into a public gallery only for the judge to then announce an adjournemnt, much to the surprise of the lawyers present. The local press receive a part list each week which is very much subject to change anyway.
"Secret justice is no justice at all".
The Isle of Man is indeed a secrecy jurisdiction.
Now why doesn't that surprise me?
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you have been captured here by someone with an axe to grind
this is simply not true.
they don’t have public galleries in the courts; they are all on one level
i’ve never had an issue attending and asking reception for a court number for a case
I know the source
I suspect I have not been captured
Ed: Comment deleted as commentator makes allegations but does not disclose his identity
Ed: comment deleted for failing to disclose identity
If it is so secret how come judgments are available on line in detail ?
http://www.judgments.im/content/Home.mth
After the event – not good enough
After the event – not good enough. That is exactly right. Why can’t supposedly intelligent people see that?
It was amazing how the Isle of Man courts expounded their “openness and transparency” when their rather comprehensive and pretty website was set up. But they will not publish the court listings online – or even place a list displayed on the court house window of the days business. The reason given for this by the Treasury Minister in a reply to a question in the House of Keys on the subject, was one of resources and financial constraints.
What price justice on the Isle of Man? Not an awful lot I would suggest.