The CJS Efficiency Programme
The Criminal Justice System (CJS), led by the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) are working together on a number of initiatives that will improve the efficiency of its processes and deliver a better service to victims and witnesses.
The Cross-CJS Efficiency Programme aims to improve partnership working and reduce bureaucracy, allowing each agency to share information more quickly, make the process more secure and reduce costly duplication of paper files.
The CPS has embraced the opportunities made available through digital working and we are committed to a programme of modernisation based around digital processes and primarily a digital case file. This work is enabling us to provide our staff with competitive and updated IT skills which will ensure that we are able to provide a first class service to the public and those we serve.
We are consulting with our partner agencies and defence solicitors to raise awareness of the programme for digital working and the benefits and efficiencies that this will deliver. Ultimately, use of a digital case file and electronic processes will reduce our reliance on paper, improve timeliness and effectiveness of court hearings, remove physical restrictions on the CPS estates thereby enabling more flexibility across our workforce and improve the service offered to victims, witnesses and defendants.
What does Digital Working mean to:
Victims & Witnesses
Due to the availability of more efficient communication chains, digital working will allow us to provide more timely updates to victims and witnesses of crime. There will still be a use for some elements of paper within the new systems - when witnesses need to be provided with a copy of their statement prior to giving evidence to enable them to refresh their memory. The service provided to you will be enhanced and our ability to answer your questions within one working day greatly improved.
Defence Representatives
Through liaison with local defence firms and working through any concerns they may have, we hope to progress to digital service of disclosure and case papers. Defence representatives will also be able to use secure e-mail accounts to provide us and HMCTS with case updates and applications. This method of working will remove postal delays and costs for all, and present the ultimate benefit of much quicker handling of cases and a reduced need to archive paper.
Defendants
If you are represented by a solicitor, we will be able to work with the defence firm for the joint provision of case papers and correspondence through secure e-mail to ensure that you can be informed of any changes to circumstances in a timely manner. Where we are informed of the details of your representative we will be able to serve papers, at their request, prior to consultation with you thus ensuring that there is no time wasted for either of you.
If you are unrepresented, we will still provide you with hard copies of any papers you are entitled to and our internal digital processes and communications with HMCTS can still continue.
Jury Member
As a jury member you will see CPS Crown Advocates presenting cases in court from a laptop. The Judge and defence Counsel will have already received the case papers in a digital format and may well be using a laptop or IT device themselves. There may also be an opportunity to observe evidence delivered via screens and making use of software to provide information virtually or in formats which make it more easily understood. In many instances you will still be provided with a paper bundle of evidence to assist you with your decisions.
For Further Information
If you have any questions or comments in relation to this topic, or you require further information, then please contact Marie Kent, Project Lead for West Midlands CPS via email - marie.kent@cps.gsi.gov.uk
