Treasury approves £75m annual investment in courts

The Treasury has approved a 'one-off package of investment' for the courts and tribunals service, which should average up to £75m every year from 2015/16 to 2020/21.

In return, the Treasury is demanding that the funding delivers savings of over £100m a year from 2019/20.

A spokesman for the MoJ said the new money would deliver "modern and integrated technology" to speed up processes.

"The current range of outdated computer systems will be replaced with a single integrated system which would allow electronic case management," he said.

"This will enable judiciary, staff and justice agencies to work on one IT system rather than using antiquated, paper-based processes."

An online self-service system will be developed, allowing users to complete court and tribunal forms online, make payments for court fees or initiate claims for debt repayment, personal injury or housing disputes.

There would also be an increased use of videolinks, digital presentation of documentation in court and Wi-Fi for lawyers.

The MoJ also promised better use of buildings, to improve facilities and reduce costs, an upgrade of facilities for victims and witnesses, such as their own waiting areas, and a refurbishment of advocates' rooms.

"Once more services are made available online, users and the legal profession should only need to attend a court or tribunal when it is absolutely necessary.

"This programme of reform will help to maintain the UK's competitiveness as a centre of legal services, attracting businesses to resolve their disputes here.

Justice secretary Chris Grayling said: "Our justice system rightly receives national and international acclaim. However, for the courts and tribunals service to continue to deliver that high quality of justice for the public they require world-class infrastructure."

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas, and the senior president of tribunals, Sir Jeremy Sullivan, said the investment and accompanying reform programme would provide the administration of justice with a "sustainable infrastructure for the future, meeting the needs of the public, legal profession and justice agencies".