HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has finalised a deal with a Manchester-based IT company which will overhaul, modernise and improve the courts and tribunal service centres.
The North-West Company, 4net Technologies has won the tender contract amounting to £16.3 million with HMCTS. The innovative tech company, which is a supplier to the Crown Commercial Service, will make it much simpler for the public to contact the courts for updates on cases and general enquiries, plus allowing the employees to quickly access up-to-date accurate information.
The centres which are receiving this pioneering technology are in Birmingham, Stoke, Loughborough and Manchester.
The public will welcome the multi-communication features which include live chat, video and email, so they can contact the courts with ease and efficiency – whilst any queries will automatically be directed to the relevant caseworkers.
Susan Acland-Hood, CEO of HMCTS, said:
“Courts & tribunals service centres play a pivotal role in our aim to provide a service built around the needs of those who use it. New technology is a key part of improving the service we deliver, and I am delighted that 4net Technologies have joined us as a technology partner.”
Richard Pennington, Managing Director of 4net Technologies said:
‘The project will use the latest technology to support the work underway to move away from these cases being dealt with administratively in local courts and tribunals thereby saving the taxpayer money and providing easier access to justice for all.’
This forms part of HMCTS’ reform project to modernise the courts and tribunals system. In March this year, and following feedback from the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee, HMCTS delayed the completion date of plans to overhaul the courts system. The £1 billion project is now expected to finish in 2023, a year longer than the original completion date.
HMCTS reform saw the closure of its first probate registry office back in the summer, confirming the Birmingham District Probate Registry will close on the 31st August due to probate being handled by their new Courts & Tribunals Service Centres (CTSCs).
The Ministry of Justice plan to close 77 more courts over the next seven years as part of its reform programme, according to the National Audit Office last month.
