Government unveils plan to byte into court delays

Internet: 2.4 million pilot to cut witness waiting times

The government this week launched a 2.4 million pilot scheme to use the Internet and mobile phone text messaging to reduce Crown Court delays and witness waiting times.More than a quarter of Crown Court hearings are cancelled on the day they are set to go ahead.EXHIBIT (Exchanging Hearing Information by the use of Internet Technology) is being piloted at Chelmsford Crown Court over the next six months and will be extended to Basildon and Southend during March.It involves court clerks recording the progress of a case - such as 'jury is sworn in' - onto a computer as it happens.This can then be sent to relevant parties, including lawyers, in a manner of their choosing, such as by e-mail, text message, fax or pager.

Court staff can send other hearing information, for example, proposing a change to court schedules when a gap in the schedule appears.The Crown Prosecution office in the court building has a screen displaying the progress of cases and can inform witnesses via mobile phone or pager when they will be required.The status of the case can also be viewed on public screens in the court house and on the Court Service Web site.Court Service chief executive Ian Magee said: 'The cost of professional witness expenses should be reduced as a result of fewer unnecessary trips to court.

The flow of paper should be reduced and with it the potential for delay and inaccuracy.'EDS, the Court Service's private finance initiative IT supplier, has been paid 1.7 million to design, build and implement the pilot system.

Additional project costs of 700,000 have also been incurred.