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Courtrooms to be fully digital by 2016 | Courtrooms to be fully digital by 2016 |
(34 minutes later) | |
Courtrooms in England and Wales will be fully digital by 2016, the government says, ending what it described as "an outdated reliance on paper". | Courtrooms in England and Wales will be fully digital by 2016, the government says, ending what it described as "an outdated reliance on paper". |
It is part of a wide-ranging £160m plan to improve the speed and efficiency of the criminal justice system. | It is part of a wide-ranging £160m plan to improve the speed and efficiency of the criminal justice system. |
Measures will include secure wi-fi in courts so lawyers and judges can access all necessary documents. | Measures will include secure wi-fi in courts so lawyers and judges can access all necessary documents. |
Justice Minister Damian Green said the plan would turn the courts system into a "modern public service". | |
The announcement follows a pilot at a so-called concept court at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. It has been running since March and dealt with some 80 cases ranging from shoplifting to offences of violence. | The announcement follows a pilot at a so-called concept court at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. It has been running since March and dealt with some 80 cases ranging from shoplifting to offences of violence. |
The criminal justice system has often been criticised for its delays, and it is a sign of the government's concern that, in an age of austerity, it is investing £160m to digitise courtooms. | The criminal justice system has often been criticised for its delays, and it is a sign of the government's concern that, in an age of austerity, it is investing £160m to digitise courtooms. |
It wants information to be shared electronically, securely and efficiently across agencies in the criminal justice system. | It wants information to be shared electronically, securely and efficiently across agencies in the criminal justice system. |
A file not being in court should no longer lead to an adjournment. | A file not being in court should no longer lead to an adjournment. |
Mr Green said: "Every year the courts and Crown Prosecution Service use roughly 160 million sheets of paper. | Mr Green said: "Every year the courts and Crown Prosecution Service use roughly 160 million sheets of paper. |
Security warning | Security warning |
"Stacked up this would be the same as 15 Mount Snowdons - literally mountains of paper. If we are to win in the global race this must change. It is time we move the court system into the 21st Century. | "Stacked up this would be the same as 15 Mount Snowdons - literally mountains of paper. If we are to win in the global race this must change. It is time we move the court system into the 21st Century. |
"This investment will help us get rid of our outdated paper-based system, and turn our criminal justice system into a digital and modern public service." | "This investment will help us get rid of our outdated paper-based system, and turn our criminal justice system into a digital and modern public service." |
The action plan - called Transforming the Criminal Justice System - aims to build on the existing use of technology. | The action plan - called Transforming the Criminal Justice System - aims to build on the existing use of technology. |
For some time CPS lawyers have worked from tablet devices and documents have been sent to defence lawyers via secure email. The action plan takes this on and includes: | For some time CPS lawyers have worked from tablet devices and documents have been sent to defence lawyers via secure email. The action plan takes this on and includes: |
While many lawyers welcome the government's investment, some have expressed fears about security and what might happen if the system crashed. | While many lawyers welcome the government's investment, some have expressed fears about security and what might happen if the system crashed. |
Greg Foxsmith, a criminal advocate, said: "If the system crashes, you are not just talking about losing a document or a file, you could have a complete meltdown of the system within a court. | Greg Foxsmith, a criminal advocate, said: "If the system crashes, you are not just talking about losing a document or a file, you could have a complete meltdown of the system within a court. |
"And if security is not watertight, highly sensitive and confidential information could be accessed. The history of government procurement of IT systems is not a happy one." | "And if security is not watertight, highly sensitive and confidential information could be accessed. The history of government procurement of IT systems is not a happy one." |
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