VIDEOCONFERENCING LEGAL SERVICES

 

Videoconferencing and New Zealand

The first use of videoconferencing in a New Zealand court was in 1992. Whilst it was questioned by some it was quickly accepted in most courts by the end of the year. 

 

In his March 2000 review “APPLICATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN CIVIL LITIGATION AND OTHER PROCEDURES” , New Zealand National Report, G D S Taylor outlines the brief history of videoconferencing in the courts.

With a clear lead from some judges, who stated that:

‘… the paramount duty of the Court to adapt its procedure to ensure that justice is done. This adaptability should enable the adjustment of Court procedure to take advantage of technological advances’ and then in 1994, having  ‘In view of this considerable body of opinion and experience there is no reason not to embrace this new technology. However, that the Court or Tribunal has the jurisdiction to employ this technology does not eliminate the need to ensure that it is used fairly.’

In the last few years the court service has embraced videoconferencing still further.

 

In late 2006 The New Zealand Minister responsible for law courts, the Hon. Rick Barker, officially launched the extension of videoconferencing in courts. “Extending the use of videoconferencing will increase the public’s access to justice and save judicial and staff resources,” he said. Traditionally videoconferencing has been used only for remote expert witnesses.

 

Videoconferencing technology has been installed in the High Court in Auckland, and the Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court in Christchurch, Greymouth, Invercargill and Wellington.

 

As a result of the Judicature Amendment Act 2006, videoconferencing can now be used in New Zealand for specific civil jurisdiction work involving Associate Judges.  “As some civil work in provincial areas can now be done via video link, hearings can be held as required rather than when a judge is able to travel. This will result in improved and more efficient services for provincial communities,” Rich Barker pointed out.