'Virtual court' cases go on trial in London

Defendants will appear in court via a secure video conference link from a police station and magistrates will be able to jail them or hand out community service orders without seeing them in the flesh. Offenders could go from arrest to conviction within two hours under the scheme.

The 12-week test project was revealed on the day the Ministry of Justice comes into being after being split from the Home Office to take responsibility for courts and prisons.

Officials say that if the prototype is successful, it could eventually save the taxpayer £15 million a year.

The pilot scheme will operate from Camberwell Green magistrates court and four police stations in Southwark and Lambeth from 29 May.

It will be used, with the defendant's consent, during all first hearings, except in cases with more than one offender and those involving youths.

Magistrates will conduct proceedings from the courtroom while the defendant, defence and prosecution participate from specially adapted police custody suites. Members of the public will be able to watch from the courthouse.

Although it is expected to cost £800,000 to implement, officials say the scheme will speed the resolution of cases for victims, witnesses and defendants-free up police for front line duties and enable magistrates to hear more cases more quickly.

Officials say it will also cut the need for prisoner transport between police stations, courts and prisons, which costs London £45.5million a year.

However the concept has sparked unease within the legal profession.

Roger Smith, director of legal human rights organisation Justice, told the Evening Standard that "virtual courts" could undermine the gravitas of the judicial process.

"Video technology has tremendous potential to improve procedural hearings - where lawyers and magistrates sort out how a big case will be conducted.

"But I have concerns about it being used to sentence somebody. Being summoned before a TV screen is not the same as being summoned before a court," he said.

"Being arrested, taken to a police station and then on to court is a shaming process. It is an extremely unpleasant experience to stand in a dock and be told by a judge that you're going to receive a sentence. There is a danger that this process would be debased by being made to look like a reality TV game."

Andrew Morley, chief executive of the London Criminal Justice Board, which is overseeing the project, said the introduction of virtual courts in London was not inevitable.

"Although simple in concept, there are a considerable number of challenges to be overcome. The purpose of the prototype is to address those challenges, test potential benefits and provide a firm workable model for delivery."