Britain to "modernize" court system

Britain will invest $624 million between 2015 and 2020 to "modernize" nearly 3,000 courtrooms in the country in a bid to reduce financial costs and deliver better judicial services, authorities have said.

The British Treasury has agreed to an investment of up to 75 million pounds per year over the five years from 2015/16, which will be used to upgrade and modernize the country's courts, Xinhua quoted the ministry of justice as saying Friday.

Much of the estate and technology relied upon by British Courts and Tribunals Service is ageing, with staff time being wasted on outdated manual data entry and paper-based processes, the ministry said.

Very little is available through digital channels and the taxpayers continue to bear the escalating financial costs associated with manual systems, it added.

The investment will be used to update technology, set up an online self-service system, introduce greater digital working, cut the reliance on manual entry, speed up working processes and reduce delays, according to the ministry.

"This new investment will help cement our system as one of the best in the world, ensure the sustainability of the system and deliver value for money for hardworking taxpayers," British Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said.