Plans to use audiovisual technology similar to Skype for the first time in a New Zealand court setting have been delayed - but will still go ahead, the Ministry of Justice says.
A mock Family Court hearing was scheduled to take place in Oamaru in mid-August, to test the performance of audiovisual platforms, and a larger trial had been scheduled this month, but the Minister for Courts, Chester Borrows, this week confirmed that it had not been possible to start the trial.
However, despite the "challenging" process, a mock hearing, involving local lawyers (in Oamaru) and principal Family Court judge Peter Boshier would still happen, he said.
"The Ministry of Justice has been working to ensure that the technology works, and also to put in place robust rules for its use, in consultation with the principal Family Court judge."
Mr Borrows said the "proof of concept" mock hearing was now on track for sometime in September.
"Following that, the ministry will be moving quickly to the larger trial, open to lawyers in the area from Oamaru south.
"The technology is proven to work but we still need to develop rules around the use of the technology.
"This is a matter for the independent judiciary, which is why a mock trial involving Judge Boshier is necessary before a larger trial can begin."
Ministry of Justice communications adviser Nathan Green said Judge Boshier had been unavailable for the original date of the trial, and a new date had still to be confirmed with the judge.
However, he added that tests had still been conducted outside the courtroom and had yielded positive results.
"This has helped us develop recommendations for protocols around the use of the technology which will be finalised with Judge Boshier."
