State-of-the-art e-evidence
system for Irelands Commercial Court

29th October 2004

Internet Videocommunications, in partnership with Fujitsu are proud to have been chosen to supply Ireland’s Commercial Court with a state of the art e-evidence system that includes facilities for, remote witness testimony via videoconferencing and electronic evidence distribution as well as other in courtroom electronic facilities.

The establishment of the court, which is a Division of the High Court, will bring Ireland into line with England and Scotland and will allow for a number of new procedures aimed at shortening the duration of the trials. It will allow for increased use of new technology in the processing of cases as well as the hearing of evidence by video link from abroad. The court will deal with cases where the value at issue exceeds €1 million.

The Law Society welcomed the creation of the new court. “ A first-class economy needs a first-class commercial court system,” said Ken Murphy, director-general of the Law Society. “ It has been self- evident for some time that there was a need for a court dealing specifically with commercial matter”. The scope of the court will include commercial transactions, intellectual property disputes, and commercial “passing off” claims. It will also allow judicial review cases related to major commercial matters.

The courtroom features modern IT facilities, with a slim line VDU and laptop point for everyone, provisions for the electronic filing and exchange of documents, electronic presentation of evidence, video conferencing and other in courtroom facilities. Evidence is displayed to the public through a large plasma screen and through touch screens located on the judge's, counsel's and registrar's benches; all controlled by the judge or registrar via a wireless touch panel. “ Internet Videocommunications is delighted to have worked on such an important and innovative project such as this. The technology being used in these courts really is state-of-the-art but it has been installed in such a way that means it is still user friendly and easy to operate”, said Steve Denny, Technology Manager at Internet Videocommunications. "The real focus for us on this project was not necessarily the technology itself, but rather how it could be used to help improve the way the courts operate and deliver real benefits to the end users”.

The new system will involve a number of measures aimed at “fast-tracking” the process. A judge may allow a witness to give evidence, whether from within or outside the State, through a live video link or by other means, according to the new court rules.

"These new technologies will enable our organisation to provide an enhanced service to the judiciary, the legal profession and their commercial clients. Moreover the project was delivered on time, to schedule and with a high level of satisfaction from both judiciary and support staff,” said Courts Service head of IT John Coyle in a statement.

For further information on Internet Videocommunications' Commercial Court project, please contact us on +44 (0) 1628 484446 or email info@internet-video.co.uk