Since 2006, ‘simple, speedy, summary’ justice has been the mantra of successive justice secretaries. It is at the heart of government reforms to ‘rebalance the criminal justice system and increase public confidence’.

The latest method to achieve this is the virtual court, which enables (and will soon compel) a defendant to make their first court appearance via videolink from the police station custody suite. A controversial pilot scheme began last week at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court.

Jack Straw visited the court to see the technology in action. He claims the new system will improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, free up police time and save £10m a year. So, how does the scheme measure up against the MoJ’s mantra?

Simple? Yes. If the Coroners and Justice Bill comes into force as drafted, defendants will have no choice but to appear via videolink. Speedy? Yes. The first case was resolved four hours after the defendant was charged in a hearing that lasted 20 minutes.

Summary? The dictionary defines ‘summary’ as ‘brief, dispensing with needless details or formalities’. Needless? Many solicitors don’t think so. The virtual court could be said to tick all three boxes, but is speedy hi-tech justice necessarily better justice? And will it really improve public confidence?

Or - as we cannot help but conclude - is it simply justice on the cheap?