Full IT service in courts by 2020

Natalie Ceeney, chief executive of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service, has confirmed that the upgrading of IT in courts in England and Wales will be complete within four years.

Speaking before the House of Commons public accounts committee, Ceeney said that whilst the introduction of change was gradual, it was progressing and would be complete by 2020.

The Treasury granted the Service £700 million to modernize the courtrooms around the country, overhauling the way in which the jurisdictional profession will operate.

Ceeney claimed that Wi-Fi had now been installed in all criminal courts, and that white screens and ‘click share’ technology was available at all sites across the country.

Over the course of the next six months, magistrates are to be equipped with iPads, and the service is working on a software system which will allow the transfer of CPS electronic data straight to magistrates’ courts.

A pilot scheme is also about to be rolled out to test the idea of online pleas, and if successful, will be extended to courts across the UK.

“The approach we’re taking is not to do a big IT system, we’re doing lots of small things that together over the next four years will improve things. We’re not going to wait four years for it to happen, we’re going to do it incrementally,” said Ceeney.

She was then questioned by MPs as to whether she was supported by the judiciary in her plans for upgrading. She replied stating that the judiciary were completely on board with the plans, that they were working in partnership to improve the system, and that there was a constant dialogue between HMCTS and the judiciary as how to best implement reform. 

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