by James Scott

jscott@thekmgroup.co.uk

Justice Minister MP Damian Green appeared at Maidstone magistrates court on Thursday...to see how digital technology is making the justice system more efficient.

The Ashford MP went to find out how three new initiatives including video technology are making the court process faster.

The Tory politician was shown the video-link system which is allowing police station to court witness links, saving valuable police time, and prison-to-court links to save the expense of having to transport offenders to court.

Other initiatives include the ‘Speedy Justice Pilot’, which enbables low level crime cases to be heard within 24 hours, and “specified proceedings courtsS which give police the authority to deal with low level crimes such as motoring offences without the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Kent Police have recently installed two remote witness links at Ashford police station in Tufton Street and at Bluewater shopping centre at Greenhithe.

Mr Green said: “Maidstone Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are leading the way in delivering swift and efficient justice. "They have done a fantastic job implementing video-technology which has helped speed up court cases, made it easier for vulnerable witnesses to give evidence, and delivered savings in time and money within court and police services.
“I want the justice system to respond more effectively to the needs of victims, witnesses and professionals and what I have seen today is a great example of this being delivered locally.”

He was also shown how CPS prosecutors are using tablets like iPads with a ‘bundling tool’ which allows them to navigate their case material on a tablet device rather than trawling through vast amounts of paperwork.