8 Nov 2012

Test run for Family Court audio-visual hearings

6:56 pm on 8 November 2012

A six-month pilot scheme will test the relevance of teleconferencing in Family Court hearings.

A demonstration was held on Wednesday which connected Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier to lawyers in three South Island towns.

The mock hearings revolved around fictional clients like John Brown, a boy whose safety was compromised by his mother's former partner.

Queenstown lawyer Dale Lloyd said the technology could reduce delays in similar cases.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows said the software, which can be loaded on office computers, could reduce the hours of travel involved in getting everyone together for a hearing.

The pilot will begin early next year.