A programme to speed the development of technology used in courtrooms has been launched by the HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has announced in its latest blog.
In a blog on the HMCTS website Mike Edgerton, head of video, infrastructure and workplace at the department explained how it was investing in a long term infrastructure upgrade that “supports how justice is delivered.”
Edgerton explained many courtrooms rely on audio-visual equipment that has been in place for years, with equipment reaching end of life and no longer meeting modern requirements, especially at time when more digital evidence such as video, images and audio is being shared in court, along with people more commonly joining hearings remotely using video links.
The Digital Audio-Visual Evolution programme (DAVE) plans to upgrade decades-old audio-visual equipment being used in courtrooms with the hope of improving the quality of sound and video and in turn enabling clearer presentation of digital evidence.
“This is about putting in place reliable, modern infrastructure that supports how hearings are delivered today” explains Edgerton in the blog.
DAVE equipment, already being installed across courtrooms throughout the country since September, includes modern screens for clearer evidence to be seen, improved microphones and speakers, cameras that enable remote participation and systems made easier to present digital evidence.
While the programme will support the delivery of increasing digital evidence, HMCTS highlighted that as more court users attend hearings remotely, this will also “improve access to justice”, specifically for vulnerable users.
Currently around 385 courtrooms have been “refreshed” with DAVE equipment, with a planned 2,850 courtrooms in total to be updated – approximately 70 per cent of these currently video-enabled.
150 courtrooms are planned for delivery during the 2026/2027 financial year.
Improving courtroom technology is a key part of a wider effort to “modernise” the courts and tribunals process, with a goal of minimising disruption caused by equipment failure, support more consistent and reliable hearings, improve how evidence is presented and enable greater flexibility in how hearings proceed.
“Ultimately, this supports a justice system that is more accessible, efficient and resilient – for both court users and those working within it,” concluded Edgerton.
The end-goal is to increase overall video enablement to around “80% of the estate” on a rolling 10-year refresh cycle across courtrooms, while expanding delivery across civil, family and tribunals. As technology develops “so too will our approach” to ensure courtrooms remain “fit for purpose”.
