Article by Professor Susan Edwards in The Times

Professor Edwards’ article “Uncovering the truth: when and why judges ask defendants to show their faces” was published in The Times on 18 May 2017.  The article concerns a recent case at Westminster Magistrates Court where the judge asked female defendants to remove part of their face coverings so that she could see part of their eyes.  The defendants were due to appear at the Old Bailey on 19 May. Professor Edwards looks at a range of examples where face and demeanour have been considered important in court, and explains that it is up to the trial judge to rule on the visibility of a witness’ or defendant’s face according to the particular circumstances of the case.