Mr Jakstys gave his evidence through an interpreter. Right at the start of his cross examination, he seemed to pause quite a bit before replying to the questions being asked. These questions were interpreted and then there was a pause before there was a reply. After several questions, Ms Walker then informed me that she could hear an interference coming from around Mr Jakstys and akse dif Mr Jakstys could take his glasses off for a period as she was aware smart glasses existsed. The interpreter, who was sitting in the witness box alongside Mr Jakstys confirmed to the court that she could also hear the interference coming from around Mr Jakstys. It was later ascertained that Mr Jakstys was wearing smart glasses. I asked him to remove them before continuing with his cross examination. After a few further questions, when the interpreter was in the process of translating a question, Mr Jakstys' mobile phone started broadcasting out loud with the voice of someone talking. There was clearly someone on the mobile phone talking to Mr Jakstys. He then removed his mobile phone from his inner jacket pocket. At my direction, the smart glasses and his mobile were placed into the hands of his solicitor.
I asked both counsel to deal with this issue at the end of that day's evidence being given by Mr Jakstys. When Counsel inspected the smart glasses at the end of the first day's hearing, they connected to Mr Jackstys' phone when they were switched on. In the morning of the second day, I directed that the video link was to be switched off.
High Court: Witness coached via smart glasses while giving evidence www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/... (England)
Judgment caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/ch/2026...
The witness agreed to allow his phone to be checked but unfortunately it was stolen the next day
#smartglasses #legaltech