The Law Society has overseen a co-ordinated response on the Courts Service’s User Groups for experimental eCourts.

The Society’s Litigation, Criminal Law and Technology Committees have all been active in this review.

Significant limitations

Moot court trials have been held in recent weeks exploring on a ‘learning by doing’ basis how such hearings could be conducted in practical terms without compromising essential principles of the justice system.

The Law Society’s nominees have been concerned about the significant limitations of the Courts Service’s technological platform for this purpose and representations have been made to encourage exploring alternatives.

Gap

eCourts cannot fill the gap in the justice system caused by the suspension of all but the most urgent court hearings, Law Society President Michele O’Boyle has said.

The Law Society will work constructively and collaboratively with the Courts Service and the judiciary on developing systems to allow courts to begin to re-open as soon as possible with business conducted in a manner consistent with public health advice.