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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 4

Written Answers. - Electronic Services.

David Stanton

Question:

217 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether specific legislation is required to amend the Courts Acts to allow for the establishment of specialist courts to take on specialised types of electronic business related legislation; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20878/02]

The Government attaches considerable importance to the provision of electronic services. In the context of the courts, they offer the potential to maximise operational efficiencies, reduce paper log-jams, assist in reducing court waiting times and generally provide an enhanced level of service to all court users.

In February 2001 the Courts Service published its five year strategy for information technology entitled e-courts. The key strategic business objectives detailed in the plan include the delivery of a range of electronic court initiatives which reflect its commitment to participate in the Government's initiative for the delivery of electronic services.

Both the Judiciary and the Courts Service have acknowledged the need for the development of specialised approaches to the disposal of particular categories of litigation. Under present arrangements it is the function of the President of the High Court to arrange the distribution and allocation of the business of the High Court. In so far as the Circuit Court is concerned its President may, for the purpose of ensuring an equitable distribution of the work of the Circuit Court amongst its judges and the prompt dispatch of the business of that court, allocate the business of the court among the circuit judges in a circuit.
Earlier this year the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure submitted a report recommending the establishment of electronic courts with particular reference to a commercial court with links to arbitration centres both domestic and international. This report has been published and the President of the High Court is arranging for the establishment of a commercial list in the High Court in the next law term.
In a separate development a steering committee is examining the feasibility of developing an on-line small claims procedure in the District Court on a pilot basis to deal with disputed transactions by consumers in relation to goods or services.
The provision of special arrangements to facilitate electronic business related litigation may not necessarily require fresh statutory arrangements. It might adequately be accommodated by the establishment of an informal listing system enabling such cases to be disposed of by appropriately trained judges in courtrooms equipped with the necessary technology. A project for the deployment of technology in the courtroom is currently under way in the Supreme Court.
The courts derive their jurisdiction from Statute and any changes in the type of business dealt with, depending on the level of change involved, may require legislation. My Department will continue to monitor the need to introduce or amend legislation to facilitate the provision of electronic services in the courts.
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