IT court protocol in session

A group of heavy hitters from the legal information technology community met at City firm Masons last week to discuss the best way of developing a protocol for the use of IT in relation to the courts.The purpose of establishing a protocol is to facilitate and encourage parties using the courts to exchange information by computer more easily.

Currently problems arise as a result of parties using different computer systems, and sometimes being given access to the databases of the opposing party -- created at vast expense -- for as little as the cost of a disc.The group will use a draft protocol already drawn up by the Technical and Construction Solicitors Association (TeCSA) for use within the construction industry, as the blueprint for a more general protocol.The meeting was attended by Colin Jake of the London Solicitors Litigation Association; John Bishop, a Masons partner and chair of TECSA; Mr Justice Cresswell, head of the IT advisory committee for the Lord Chancellor (ITAC); Mark Rowe, Masons partner and TeCSA committee member, and representatives from the Society for Computers and Law.The idea of a court protocol has been strongly endorsed by ITAC chairman Lord Saville.

The preliminary consultation period will run until the end of July.Mr Rowe said: 'If this development works, then parties will be able to exchange information more efficiently and cost effectively.

Judges will also be able to use on-line documents for reference purposes more easily, making the court system generally more efficient.'A Law Society spokeswoman said the initiative was very worthwhile.

'We are hoping to move towards a time when the court system will be less paper-oriented.

It is important that the path is cleared in order to achieve this, and a protocol will be a great step towards achieving that.'

Jeremy Fleming