THE prospect of 'virtual' trials, where defendants, judges and barristers are not even present, has moved a step closer with a new video link system currently being tested in Gwent courts.
The government is rolling out a prison video link (PVL) system across 30 crown courts in the UK that allows for defendants to stay in prison during preliminary hearings.
Mounted cameras in court, operated by remote control, allow the prisoner to see everyone involved in the proceedings.
The system uses hi-tech modem equipment that allows for pictures to be sent to and from courts and prisons that are linked together.
If the roll-outs programme is successful, Newport crown court could be in line to have PVL installed.
Many magistrates courts already have the system installed, including Cwmbran, Caerphilly and Newport.
Martin Speller, the chief executive of Gwent magistrates courts, said: "We could eventually see a time when we have magistrates sitting in Newport, defendants up in Newcastle and witnesses giving evidence in Birmingham."
He said as confidence grew in the PVL system the law would be changed to allow for more types of hearings to be heard via camera links.
Currently, it is restricted to preliminary hearings.
John Daly, the buildings and IT manager for the Gwent magistrates courts, said: "Not every magistrates courts has these camera facilities but there will be at least one in each of the 42 magistrates' committee areas across the UK."
He said the system worked well and that technical problems were rare.
IT officer Kristian Morgan said the modem link also allowed for dedicated phone and fax lines between the courts.
He said there were around 300 connections between the magistrates courts and prisons across the UK.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Constitutional Affairs said: "There are no plans at this stage to extend the roll-out programme.
"But it could be expanded to Newport and other crown courts in the UK if an evaluation of the scheme prove positive."
Nick Williamson, the courts manager at Cardiff and Newport crown courts, said it was too early to comment about the benefits of PVL.
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