The government is to pilot extending the use of live video links into Crown Courts for witnesses in certain sex offences in the next few months, the Gazette has learned.


Five Crown Courts are to take part in the scheme that will allow, for example, witnesses to give evidence from courts closer to where they live, a spokesman for the Courts Service said.



The pilot will 'test the level of additional demand for live links, assess the extent to which this provision does improve system efficiency and help inform decisions on the need for further investment in live link technology', he added.



The Courts Service could not give an exact start date, with 'late autumn' being as near as it could get. Which five courts will be engaged in the pilot is also not yet decided. The pilot is planned to last one year.



The spokesman added: 'It is hoped that this [pilot] will lead to enhanced efficiency in the criminal justice system, make better use of existing live link equipment, reduce waiting times for professional witnesses and reduce delays in the listing of cases.'



See also IT 'Can justice be seen to be done?'



Rupert White