Law Society nominees on courts user groups have brought their concerns about technological limitations to the Chief Justice Frank Clarke.

The nominees had been involved in the experimental moot courts to prepare for remote hearings and were concerned at the significant limitations of the technological platform being employed by the Courts Service.

Concerns

The Law Society has raised these concerns with the Chief Justice Frank Clarke in his capacity as chair of the Courts Service board.

The Chief Justice has taken these concerns very seriously and has initiated a discussion at a technical level to review whether alternatives could be found which would be better suited to enabling remote courts.

The Law Society said it will be glad to accept the Chief Justice’s invitation to participate positively in this discussion.

Urgent sittings

The Law Society remains of the view that these stopgap tech measures cannot fill the gap in the justice system caused by the COVID-19 suspension, in all but the most urgent court sittings.

“The number one priority now must be to develop the necessary systems to allow the courts to begin to re-open, as soon as possible, with court business conducted in a manner consistent with public health advice,” Law Society President Michele O’Boyle said in a bulletin to the profession yesterday.