Compliance Toolkit

UK court hearings to be tracked by Web, text

Kable

Published: 16 Dec 2004 14:40 GMT

A new IT network linking 101 Crown Courts and criminal justice agencies is to be introduced nationally allowing information from trial hearings to be accessible online, the Department for Constitutional Affairs announced on Wednesday.

The £20m Xhibit system is to be rolled out across the England and Wales following an 18-month pilot at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London. It will allow people to track court hearings on the Internet, and gain information by text message or pager. The idea is to cut down on the time spent in court waiting to give evidence as people will be able to get information on the current status of a case online.

Courts minister Christopher Leslie said: "Giving evidence in court can sometimes involve an unpredictable waiting time, but this Xhibit technology now means witnesses, whether online or through their mobile phone, will be more in touch with the tracking of their case.

"We estimate that some 80,000 extra days of policing a year will be a huge benefit from this new technology. More police on the streets tackling crime and less time in court."

"The national rollout of Xhibit is a clear example of courts using technology to improve the reality and perception of the criminal justice system. "

The system will also link to the Police National Computer. The computer will receive information from Crown Courts such as case results, bail orders, and bench warrants. The aim is to allow police to enforce the orders and warrants much quicker.