Many solicitors are threatening to boycott controversial virtual court sessions introduced to north Kent, according to one legal expert who branded the system an 'expensive gimmick’.

Defendants held in custody can now have their cases heard via webcam from north Kent police station rather than attend court.
One senior lawyer claims some local firms have refused to become a part of it.

However the Kent Criminal Justice Board maintains there has been no such boycott and a number of Kent firms have signed up to participate in the duty solicitor scheme.

The Board says the system, which links the station to Medway Magistrates’ Court, will be fully evaluated at the end of the 12-month trial.
It was launched without fanfare almost a fortnight ago on August 11.

But Kent-based solicitor Robin Murray, an expert in criminal law, said: “Most of the profession is still not interested in supporting the scheme. I will not be using it and nor will most solicitors.

“I would estimate that 95 per cent of local solicitors are boycotting it so outsiders are being brought in to represent clients.
“The Law Society has issued a directive that we should be very careful representing people using this scheme, and it would be very foolish to ignore our own professional body.”

He added: “We believe it is an expensive gimmick and not interactive in the true sense of the word. If we are at the police station with a client, we cannot negotiate with the prosecution and if we are in court we cannot speak in confidence to our client.”

The scheme, which aims to cut delays caused by defendants being transferred from police custody and missing paperwork, is also being piloted at 15 police stations across London.

The Kent Criminal Justice Board insists the video link provides opportunities for two-way communication and defendants can opt to appear in court in person.

Gareth Johnson, a north Kent solicitor specialising in criminal law and Dartford’s Conservative parliamentary candidate, maintains there are few problems in getting prisoners to court.

He said: “Virtual courts are nothing more than a convoluted and costly system to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. Many solicitors have grave concerns over its serious flaws.”

The Ministry of Justice also denied the Kent pilot is being spurned by a significant number of solicitors.

A spokesman said: “A number of firms have signed up to participate in the duty solicitor scheme and defendants have had access to free legal representation at north Kent custody centre.”

A statement from the Kent Criminal Justice Board concluded: “There is increasing pressure to speed up justice and the availability of technology allows us to do this through virtual courts.

“There are distinct advantages for victims, witnesses in the local community. This has already been evidenced through the cases which have successfully been managed via the virtual court link.

“In the first case heard via the virtual court, involving an overnight remand, the defendant had his case heard and was issued with a community service order, and the whole case was concluded by 11:10am the following morning.

“A detailed evaluation of each case is being undertaken and will form part of the final 12 month analysis.”