Law Weblog

“Virtual courts” – a reality

Saturday 30 May 2009 at 6:34 am | In News | Post Comment

Defendants will lose their right to have a courtroom hearing following successful trials of “virtual courts”.

Virtual court hearings are not held where magistrates decide it is inappropriate, such as where people are mentally vulnerable, youths or mutlple defendants. There are no plans to extend the scheme to include full trials.

At Camberwell Green court last week, one defendant, who admitted drink-driving, was fined and banned from driving only hours after he was arrested without setting foot in a court building. Another suspected drink driver who refused to give a blood sample, was adjourned.

Ministers say that the plan could save £10million a year when extended across England and Wales next year.

Solicitors have expressed concerns about whether the virtual courts will add to delays and increase the number of ineffective hearings and whether they will be at greater risk from violent clients.

Defendants held at Charing Cross police station, which is linked to the Camberwell Green court, currently have the right to refuse to take part in a trial. But the Coroners and Victims Bill now going through Parliament removes that right. If they plead guilty they can be sentenced on the spot.

By September, 14 other police stations in South London and North Kent will be linked to courts, handling an estimated 15,000 cases a year.