The Use of Technology (And Other Measures) to Increase Court Capacity: A View from Australia

Abstract

This paper is a submission to the House of Commons Justice Committee Inquiry into Court Capacity. The purpose of this submission is to describe how technology has been used, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to increase court capacity in Australia. The submission identifies some challenges raised by the use of technology, and the responses to those challenges. The submission also covers some measures, not limited to technology, that have been taken to increase court capacity in response to COVID-19. Part I of this submission sets out the range of uses for which technology may be used in the justice system and develops a taxonomy of these uses. Part II provides an overview of the use of technology to increase court capacity in Australia, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Part III identifies challenges that have arisen in connection with open justice, procedural fairness, access to justice and jury trials. We explain how Australian courts have responded to these challenges.