16 June 2005
Criminal court cases in Norfolk are to be streamed over the Internet to witnesses and members of the public as part of attempts to speed up the legal process.
The £20 million computer system known as XHIBIT will also send out text messages to figures central to cases as and when they are required to appear in court.
The advanced IT technology saves time for witnesses and police officers as well as any inconvenience disabled people might occur in travelling to and from a court hearing.
Minister of state for constitutional affairs Harriet Harman said: "Attending court can be stressful at the best of times. Witnesses do not want to be waiting in court for hours before being called to give evidence. With XHIBIT, witnesses can now be more in touch with the tracking of their case whether online or through their mobile phone.
"There will be local benefits too, as police officers will spend less time waiting at court to give evidence, and more time policing the streets."
Ms Harman added: "This technology is part of the Government's drive to bring the court system into the 21st Century. It all adds up to a better deal for victims and witnesses in the court process."
XHIBIT, abbreviated from eXchanging Hearing Information By Internet Technology, is due to be introduced into 101 Crown Court sites across England and Wales.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
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