A move to update a centuries-old courtroom tradition to become “inclusive” has been slammed as “ludicrous”. The request of “All rise” when judges enter courts is to be replaced with “All rise, if able”, in a bid to “create a more welcoming environment”. Court officials in England and Wales will implement the rule change in the coming weeks
The aim to be “more inclusive” will be the first to defy a tradition dating back to medieval times. Court staff will read the statement before each hearing, regardless of whether disabled people are in the room. However, the change has been criticised for pandering to the “god of wokery” which is “unnecessary virtue signalling”. 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.”
Conservative MP Jack Rankin echoed this, telling The Telegraph: “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.”
Mr Rankin added he worries of the time consumed in both proposing and implementing the change, questioning whether it would’ve been better to focus on cutting the judicial backlog.
“All rise” is a statement which has been read out for some 1,000 years, originating in the royal courts of England. Standing symbolised respect for the judge, the Bible and the monarch – a tradition that has carried through to modern day.
However, an internal message sent to courts last month explained that the change was to “demonstrate a willingness to make reasonable adjustments for physical disability.”
“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,” the memo read.
It 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.”
The message continued to explain that “there is not a requirement to stand when the judicial offer holder enters” in “some types of hearing”
“All rise” has now been adjusted in the Equal Treatment Bench Book for court staff, judges and magistrates.
