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Lawyers to get tablet computers
1:13pm Friday 2nd December 2011
Judges, jurors and barristers are set to replace their traditional bundles with iPad-style devices in an attempt to create paperless courts.
Prosecutors will be given tablet devices which will contain all the evidence and documentation needed to conduct court hearings.
The scheme will later be extended to judges, jurors and defence barristers, eventually meaning courts can operate without paper.
All Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) departments in England and Wales are preparing to roll out the devices from April.
A mock trial is due to be held at Norwich Crown Court to test the system and prosecutors in Norfolk are to be given 35 Hewlett Packard tablets worth up to £1,000 each in preparation for the roll-out.
The CPS hopes the tablets will save at least £50 million across the country by the time of the next parliament.
It is also hoped that police officers, who will be able to send evidence electronically, will be freed from paperwork.
Andrew Baxter, deputy chief Crown prosecutor for the East of England, said the cost of introducing the scheme was “pretty nominal” compared to the £50 million that is expected to be saved, as the CPS deals with cuts of 25% over the next four years.
He said: “It is the biggest change I have seen in my career prosecuting for 18 years.”
Initially the tablets will be tested in less serious cases in magistrates’ courts before moving to Crown Courts.
Police will send files electronically to prosecutors, who will then have everything they need in court to prosecute the defendant from their tablets.
Mr Baxter said hard copies would still be available in the early stages, in case of any glitches.
The scheme, called Transforming Through Technology, will involve the Courts and Tribunals Service, the police and CPS and other criminal justice agencies.
Barrister Quinton Newcomb from the eastern circuit of the Bar Council, which represents barristers in Norfolk, said: “The move towards the increased use of digital documents is an inevitable one and one which it seems that the technology is now ready for.
”In theory, this will mean that advocates will have access to everything that they need, apart from their wig and gown of course, on a small digital device.
”Anything that can make the criminal justice system more efficient and give the public better value for money is to be welcomed.”
A spokeswoman for Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service said: “Norwich Crown Court is participating in a mock trial to test possible ways of working digitally in the Crown Courts nationwide.
”The results of this work will help inform the planning for delivery nationally.
”By April 2012 the aim is to have all criminal justice system agencies transferring information digitally.
”This is part of work across the criminal justice system to provide a simpler, swifter and more transparent service that meets the needs of victims and the public.”