R (Ewing) v Isleworth Crown Court and Others [2019] EWHC 288 (Admin)

E was refused entry into court due to the Judge being engaged in the delivery of a ruling. It was stated by HMCTS that it was common practice to exclude people from entering court during delivery of judgments and summing up etc.

Held: There was not an unfettered right to access a court, and there may be times, including when a Judge was delivering a ruling, summing up or sentencing where it may not be appropriate for persons to enter/leave. There may be other sensitive moments where a brief ban may also be appropriate. However, a blanket policy to that effect was unlawful.