Video links expansion

CONFERENCING: Crown Court and commissioners benefit

The Court Service last week unveiled a double expansion of video conferencing technology by rolling out the system to 29 designated Crown Courts around the country for use in preliminary hearings, and also, for the first time, to the social security and child support commissioners.

Birmingham Crown Court Centre will be the first of the new tranche of courts to have the equipment installed, with the remaining 28 courts having the links installed throughout the rest of year.

The links will be installed in two courtrooms of the 28 Crown Court centres and in all 18 courtrooms at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey).

The links will cost 800,000 to install and 1.3 million a year to run.

Video links already exist between 156 magistrates' courts and 57 prisons, and a pilot linking Manchester's Crown Court and prison has been operating since 1999.

The government said the extension to Crown Courts would reduce hearing delays by ensuring that preliminary hearings go ahead on time, free up police and prison service resources, and reduce the risk of potential escapes from courts.

The links will also be used by vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, and for the presentation of video, DVD and electronic evidence.

Courts minister Yvette Cooper said: 'Too many cases are delayed because prisoners don't get to the courts on time.'

The commissioners hear appeals from tribunals on points of law in both social security and child support cases.

While most cases are decided on paper, cases where an oral hearing is needed can now make use of the new facilities, linking commissioners to 44 venues throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

The new service will be provided through collaboration with other agencies and sharing court facilities in different localities.