IT Upgrade: court to have integrated case management system linked to electronic diary

Hopes are rising that the Commercial Court will finally be found a new home after the Lord Chancellor insisted last week that relocating the court is a priority for the Courts Service.


In a speech to the Commercial Bar Association, Lord Falconer said an advisory team is developing 'a full business case', which will include a financial appraisal of a range of options. A draft is expected to be ready by the end of next month, and this will form the basis of funding discussions with the Treasury.


The options include the provision of a new Commercial Court within the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ), and a 'market-driven' solution of a 20-30 courtroom facility on a site 'outwith but close to' the RCJ, Lord Falconer said. The court is currently based in St Dunstan's House, a much-criticised site in Fetter Lane.


Graham Huntley, president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association and partner at City firm Lovells, said: 'The association has been closely involved in the development of the project and we are more optimistic about it than we ever have been. The political will is there and the logistical thinking has been advanced. We are now trying to sort out the financial basis on which it will proceed.'


The Lord Chancellor also revealed that the Commercial Court is to have an integrated case management system, linked to an electronic diary, by the New Year.


He said: 'The project will replace the courts' ageing IT and mainly paper-based processes, and help to move towards an electronic form of working.'


Lord Falconer acknowledged that there had been 'some difficulties' with the development of the software, but added that the Department for Constitutional Affairs is working to resolve those issues so that the new system is in place by early 2006.


A number of large commercial law firms have provided input based on their knowledge of case management technology, while the IT project also has the backing of senior members of the judiciary, including Lord Justice Thomas, senior presiding judge for England and Wales.


Lord Falconer added that the project 'will provide an opportunity to test the concept of an integrated case management, e-file and diary system so that other jurisdictions may benefit in the future'.


A second phase of the IT project would allow on-line filing by solicitors and other customers of the court, as already happens in countries such as Australia and Singapore.


This second stage would also provide the ability to generate orders and to receive payments electronically.


However, the Lord Chancellor said that a timetable for phase two would only be put in place once the 'lessons have been learned' from phase one.


Mr Huntley welcomed the IT developments, saying it was 'inconceivable' that there would be a new building without significant investment in e-filing at least.