The first strategic plan for the Courts Service promises better buildings, privacy for court users, faster service and access to the service by computer.
The three-year plan was launched yesterday by the Chief Justice and chairman of the Courts Service Board, Mr Justice Keane. He said the annual budget of the service had risen from £30 million to £60 million over the past few years, since the publication of the first report of the working group on a courts commission, which led to its establishment.
Much of the additional resources has gone into information technology, to provide e-commerce and to assist in keeping court records and statistics and allow greater co-ordination with other services. There will also be substantial investment in court buildings.
Two new booklets were launched yesterday, one aimed at the public and the other at legal practitioners.