Eight years ago, Lord Woolf outlined his vision of an IT system for the civil courts.

Today, government failure to back such reforms has undermined the courts, argues Peter Williamson

Lord Justice Brooke, the judge in charge of modernisation of the Court Service, recently lamented the fact that it had taken 20 years from the first polite request by judges during the First World War, for electricity to be installed in their chambers.

Regrettably, even in the midst of a global information technology boom, the road to modernisation of the court service continues to be as long and arduous as it was in the last century.

In 1996, Lord Woolf set out his vision for a new civil justice system in his report 'Access to Justice', which included the introduction of a comprehensive IT system for the civil courts.

Eight years later, we remain as far away from Lord Woolf's vision of the future as we were then.

That is not to say that there haven't been improvements.

On the contrary, the Woolf reforms have fundamentally changed our approach to litigation and positively transformed the civil justice system.

But the reforms simply haven't gone far enough.

Court users are currently experiencing frequent inefficiency and delay.

Law Society research reveals that there are problems with lost files, applications returned for no reason, delays with listing, errors on orders and late notification of trial dates.

In many cases, the Woolf timetables are not able to bite because of delay in issuing orders.

This is not a criticism of court staff.

We know that they work hard to provide a much needed service, but, without proper facilities and support, it has become an uphill struggle.

The government's failure to invest in a comprehensive IT system has led to deterioration in the overall efficiency of the civil courts and as a result the Woolf reforms are being seriously undermined.

No clearer image of the dangers of under-investment in our civil justice system is needed than the failure so far to invest in a new Commercial Court.

The current home of that court has been described by many as 'a public disgrace', 'appalling' and 'profoundly depressing'.

The majority of work conducted in our Commercial Court is international and contributes nearly 1 billion each year to Britain's invisible earnings.

It also indirectly contributes much to the international success of the City.

An efficient, flagship civil justice system acts as an incentive for international companies to make their base in London.

This is undoubtedly a leading international legal centre, but to maintain its pole position, it is essential that the government supports measures to enable us to build a modern and effective international legal service.

The lack of investment in IT in the civil courts is eroding London's position as a major international centre for dispute resolution.

The Law Society, along with the London Solicitors Litigation Association, the Bar Council and senior judges, have been working hard to impress on the government the urgent need for a more effective and modernised civil court service and for a new Commercial Court in London.

We shall continue to lobby for change and I hope that we will see considerable improvements during 2004.

However, the issues around the modernisation of the courts system are not limited to current funding constraints.

Law Society research of the use by small and medium-sized law firms of e-mail indicates that although most practices have access to e-mail and the Internet, less than 50% of firms have a personal computer on every fee-earner's desk.

The most common reason for this is that fee-earners prefer not to use them.

While many firms are exceptional in their innovative use of new technology, too many simply do not see the relevance of IT.

This approach needs to change rapidly.

It is only by adopting a positive approach to IT that practitioners will be able to make a legitimate argument for improvements in the modernisation of the court service.

The Law Society is keen to encourage greater exploration by all solicitors of the opportunities presented by IT, and in particular the Internet, including e-mail facilities in the civil courts and the criminal justice system.

We want to enhance the profession's preparedness for wider e-business changes already on the horizon: electronic delivery of central and local government services, electronic conveyancing and the continuing development of on-line commerce.

Information technology is transforming many aspects of the way we live and work.

Many of us are becoming accustomed to high speed, high-tech customer service and the legal profession is not immune to these demands.

As more people become familiar with the Internet at work and at home, expectations will continue to change and the profession must ensure that it is fully prepared for an IT-rich future.

I would encourage all lawyers to embrace technology such as the Internet and electronic case management, which can help case-handling become both quicker and cheaper.

The changes taking place represent major opportunities for the profession that will reap rewards for consumers and practitioners.

The fact is that if we do not move with the times and take advantage of the opportunities that exist then we are severely limiting our ability to modernise and we risk the future well-being of the profession.

We must all make a positive contribution to the drive towards a truly modernised justice system.

That means that everyone must play their part.

Peter Williamson is the Law Society President