Consumers benefit from digital legal services

More people are benefitting from swift and effective legal services through the expansion of virtual courts and live links technology.

The government claims that digital technology is improving court hearings and saving police hours by increasing the speed of which hearings can be arranged and minimising the need for physical presence in the court.

Nick Herbert, minister for policing and criminal justice, stated: "Live links are a key factor in making the criminal justice system in England and Wales more efficient - to enable justice agencies to work together to reduce waste and bureaucracy and provide a more integrated service."

Virtual courts allow defendants to have their first hearing held over video secure link from the magistrates' court, often within hours of being charged. If a suspect pleads guilty then they can even be charged on the same day.

The technology also allows police to give witness in court through live links, reducing travelling times.

Live links are also useful in cases where it would not be beneficial for victims and defendants to be in the same room. They have long been used in cases where a child is a witness or where anonymity needs to be protected.

Published by Phil Hammond