Society paper proposes justice system videoconferencing standards
Minimum standards for videoconferencing facilities in the Scottish courts have been proposed by the Law Society of Scotland in a working group paper.
In line with the Scottish Government’s Justice Digital Strategy and in anticipation of proposals to redesign and modernise summary justice in Scotland following the Evidence and Procedure Review, the Society is looking closely at issues relating to technology in the justice system.
Its Technology Law & Practice Committee set up a working group to look at issues relating to technology in the courts, bringing in members of the Access to Justice, Civil Justice, Criminal, Legal Aid and Technology Committees.
The group's paper outlines minimum requirements in terms of privacy, consistency, flexibility and quality of videoconferencing facilities, recognising that a system which consistently provides a satisfactory experience for participants will have beneficial effects both for users and in terms of access to justice.