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                                     8.


             Improved communication, education, and standards



To this point, this Report has addressed the desirability of particular
applications of information technology being adopted for use in complex trials
by various parties. It has also addressed some reforms to court procedure and
rules of evidence that could facilitate the use of these technologies.
However, it should be obvious by now that there are many examples of advanced
and occasionally innovative uses of information technology occurring in
Australian trials, but that this usage is sporadic. Throughout this Report we
have avoided making any detailed recommendations concerning the purchase of
particular products, or even detailed recommendations as to which technologies
should be employed. Most recommendations of this type are likely to be out-of-
date soon after they are written (if one is optimistic). More important than
the development of 'shopping lists' is to identify structural changes that may
lead to continuing better usage of court technologies.

This Chapter attempts to identify some structural or organisational changes
which could result in a more uniform uptake of good uses of information
technology by all those involved in complex trials. Many of these
recommendations could be relevant to all aspects of the use of information
technology in court proceedings, and are not of peculiar relevance to criminal
trials, or to complex proceedings. The structural issues examined in this
Chapter are (i) the need for better cooperation, communication and information
concerning court technologies; (ii) the need for the development of standards;
and (iii) the need for better infrastructure in courtrooms so that all parties
can make better use of information technology.



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