UK Court Adopts Virtual Pleas and Directions Hearings

In an attempt to modernize the criminal justice process, the UK Minister of State for Criminal Justice, Sentencing and Law Reform in UK has launched a pilot project at the Manchester Crown Court for virtual plea and directions hearings. Prosecution and defence barristers will now be able to submit information for pleas and directions hearings to the court over a secure Internet website. This project is aimed at reducing costs and delays by decreasing the need for parties to travel to court to attend the hearings in person. If the pilot project is successful, it could be implemented in the other 80 crown courts in England and Wales as early as next year. For more information, visit: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page6248.asp For the Lord Chancellor's Department press release, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?C3D223932