Straw: Virtual courts deliver swift justice

27 May 2009

Justice Secretary Jack Straw praised the first virtual court pilot for delivering justice faster and more efficiently, when he visited Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court.

Cases can now be heard within hours via a secure video link between Charing Cross police station and the court. This frees up police time and ensures crimes are dealt with more quickly and effectively, making it easier for victims and witnesses to see justice being done.

The pilot has already seen two cases dealt with in this way. In one case, the hearing took place four hours after the defendant was charged with drink driving. The defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced, at the end of the hearing, which lasted 20 minutes.

Mr Straw said:

‘As I have seen first hand today, virtual courts have the potential to transform how the justice system deals with crimes. They are vital in the government’s drive to deliver swift justice – resolving cases faster, freeing up police time and improving the service given to victims, witnesses and defendants.

‘Although at an early stage, this pilot helps the courts, police, prosecutors, defence lawyers and the judiciary work better together to deliver quicker and more effective justice without any loss of quality. The faster we get justice done, the more we improve public confidence in the criminal justice system as whole.’

The Solicitor General, Vera Baird QC, said:

‘By continuing to examine the virtual courts concept we can ensure that its potential is fully realised but that appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure it is used for the right kinds of cases. It can work for both complainants and defendants, while the public can continue to see justice being done.’

Lord Justice Leveson, the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales said:

‘The courts offer a public and open system of justice, but it is also important that they provide for the swift resolution of cases. The judiciary are therefore keen to look at new and innovative methods of increasing the efficiency of the courts, whilst preserving what is important about the system of justice that they provide. Using technology such as this to reduce delay must therefore be worthy of further investigation. I welcome this pilot and shall follow its progress with interest.’

Andrew Morley, chief executive of the London Criminal Justice Board, which is coordinating the London pilot, said:

‘The London Criminal Justice Board is committed to testing new ways of improving the public’s experience of the criminal justice system by improving the timeliness and efficiency of the process. We have shown previously through a successful prototype that the technology makes it possible for the court to deal with first appearances over a video link from the police station, and are confident that the pilot will demonstrate significant benefits in terms of efficiency, victim satisfaction and confidence.’

Other benefits of the virtual court scheme include:

• The potential for same-day sentencing of offenders who plead guilty.
• A reduction in delays caused by defendants failing to turn up to hearings and paperwork not being available.
• Reducing prisoner movements, saving money on transport costs.

A further 14 police stations across London will join the pilot over the summer and an estimated 15,000 cases are expected to be dealt with using the virtual court during the one-year pilot.

If successful, the London virtual courts pilot could generate £2.2 million in benefits over the year across the criminal justice system. A wider roll-out of virtual courts in other areas across England and Wales could deliver benefits in excess of £10 million a year.

The government has already cut by more than a fifth the number of days from charge to sentence in the magistrates’ courts.

Notes

1. The virtual court pilot was announced by the Prime Minister on 12 May 2009
2. The virtual court will sit at both the court and police station. The defendant will be online at the police station, with the magistrates or District Judge, legal adviser, CPS and Probation Service based at the court. The defendant’s solicitor can be either at the police station or court.
3. Defendants will still have access to confidential legal advice and a system of safeguards will be in place to ensure the rights of vulnerable defendants (e.g. those with mental health or learning difficulties) are protected. If necessary, the magistrate or a District Judge will refer the case for a standard court hearing.
4. A second pilot site in North Kent will launch in June 2009 so that the virtual court concept can be tested in areas with different characteristics. A further 14 police stations across London will join the pilot over the summer: Brixton, Kennington, Streatham, Peckham, Walworth, Lewisham, Plumstead, Bromley, Croydon, South Norwood, Sutton, Paddington Green, Belgravia, Bexleyheath.
5. The government has cut the number of days from charge to sentence in the magistrates’ courts by over 20%, from 61 days in March 2007 to 48 days in December 2008.
6. For further information contact the Ministry of Justice News Desk on 020 3334 3536.