The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is rolling out new technology that will allow judges, witnesses and lawyers to appear remotely in court cases, in a bid to tackle long backlogs delaying justice for victims. A trial has already been launched with London cases being heard at Sheffield Crown Court to prevent them from being delayed.
How the remote hearing technology will work
Ministers hope that the new tech will allow trials with judges, lawyers and witnesses on video links. This would also allow police officers to testify without losing days attending court in person, the MOJ has said. Victims and defendants will still be able to apply for a face-to-face hearing if they prefer, officials stated.
Courts Minister Sarah Sackman said: “The criminal justice system we inherited was on the brink of collapse. Hearings were cancelled at the last minute and victims have faced unacceptable delays. We are pulling every lever to change this and deliver justice for victims.”
She added: “This transformational pilot harnesses the power of technology to connect courts across the country, making better use of resources and changing how justice is delivered for victims. This pioneering work marks another step towards building a more efficient, resilient and modern justice system that delivers for victims across the country.”
Backlog and expansion plans
The move comes as ministers scramble to tackle a huge Crown Court backlog of 80,829. The new technology means cases can be transferred quickly to judges with the capacity to hear them. It is hoped that tens of thousands of remote and hybrid hearings will take place every month.
The MOJ said the rollout will require evaluation and judicial approval in order to expand. New arrangements have been agreed with the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Crown Prosecution Service to expand the use of live video links, which the government believes will make better use of policing resources.
Courts and Tribunals Bill and AI trial
The announcement comes ahead of the Courts and Tribunals Bill returning to Parliament on Tuesday. Justice Secretary Alex Norris this month announced that controversial proposals to limit jury trials – championed by his predecessor, David Lammy – have been scrapped.
Last week the Mirror revealed that new AI software is being trialled to scan court documents to identify issues that could cause delay. The tool, being piloted in London, will also spot issues that could derail hearings by making sure all paperwork is in place before a case comes to court.
Ms Sackman said: "Too many victims have been left waiting while court delays mount. This new AI tool will help court staff get cases ready for trial sooner, reducing disruption and helping keep hearings on track."
