A six-month pilot scheme will test the relevance of teleconferencing in Family Court hearings.
The court's principal judge, Peter Boshier, has already taken part in a demonstration of the scheme - a mock hearing in which he was connected to lawyers in three South Island towns.
The mock hearings revolved around fictional clients such as John Brown, a young boy whose safety was compromised by his mother's former partner.
One of the participants, Queenstown lawyer Dale Lloyd says the technology could reduce delays in similar cases.
She says a judge only visits her local family court once a month, but audio-visual technology means discussions can be carried out more easily.
However, Ms Lloyd believes it is still essential to have everyone in the same room for hearings where a viewpoint is to be debated.
Courts Minister Chester Borrows says the pilot scheme will begin early in 2013 involve courts from Gore south, where travelling distances are problematic.
