Labour has welcomed proposals to reduce delays in the court system.
Labour's Justice spokesperson Lianne Dalziel said her party began the simplification project in 2007 because pressures on the system had to be addressed, while ensuring the right to a fair trial was maintained.
Justice Minister Simon Power said the changes would be discussed in coming months with a draft bill released for wider consultation at the end of the year.
Legislation would be in place by the end of next year, he said.
Proposals in a review aim to improve the efficiency and reduce delays in criminal court cases.
"We need to consider some of the traditional practices of the court system," Mr Power said.
"Court waiting times are at an unacceptable level."
The median wait time for District Court trials is one year and for High Court trials it is 16-1/2 months.
Repeated adjournments, unnecessary appearances, late guilty pleas, trials that start late, minor trials tried by jury, barriers to use of modern technologies and a complex and outdated legislative framework all add to delays in court cases, Mr Power said.
Proposals include raising the bar for jury trials, requiring discussions between counsel and the use of audio links.
"The proposed changes are expected to result in less delay, fewer adjournments, shorter trials, a more satisfactory process for victims and witnesses, and increased efficiency within the system," Mr Power said.
Video links could see criminals sentenced from jail and judges could preside over cases remotely, he said. Eventually the public might be able to watch the process on the internet.
Video equipment would be installed in prisons, police stations, courtrooms and legal offices.
It would be installed in 52 places over four years at a cost of $22m, saving $43.1m.
