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1.8. Potential benefits of better use of information technology


Difficulties of measurement


In the absence of hard evidence of the extent to which each of these
multitudinous factors contributes to the problems of complex trials, estimates
of the extent to which information technology can alleviate the overall
problem must be speculative, based on a limited amount of anecdotal and
'success story' information. It may be possible to identify how information
technology may reduce a specific contributing problem, but the overall
significance of reducing any one problem will usually be difficult to measure.
Better use of information technology will never be a panacea in this area: too
many of the problems of complex trials are untouchable by information
technology.


Categories of benefit


Most potential benefits of better use of information technology fall into the
broad categories below, each of which is discussed in subsequent Chapters.


Efficiencies in pre-trial case preparation


The most obvious benefits are to the prosecution and defence in case
preparation. Among many potential benefits, witness' statements and prior
transcripts can be searched, documentary exhibits can be summarised and made
searchable, images of exhibits can make them available to multiple
investigators while protecting the originals, and the production of exhibit
lists and discovery lists can be automated.


Increased understanding of the case by the parties


As the trial progresses, prosecution and defence can obtain further benefits
by the use of litigation support software both inside and outside the
courtroom. It may be used to analyse the other side's exhibit lists, to
analyse and annotate evidence as it is presented, to retrieve documents needed
for preparation of examination and cross examination, and to construct closing
addresses.


Efficiencies in managing court time


The use of project management software by courts may be valuable in scheduling
the hearing of numerous preliminary applications by parties, the hearing of
numerous witnesses, or any other activities which require the coordination of
the activities of many people.


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