HM Courts Service is running workshops in Birmingham and London on how electronic filing and document management (EFDM) will work in the civil and family courts.

EFDM will introduce an electronic case file for the civil and family courts so court documents can be filed and court fees can be paid electronically. Court users would be able to access the court file outside office hours. This presents a number of opportunities and challenges over future interaction between court users and the civil and family courts.

This is not to be confused with the courts’ management of the disclosure documents – that is a procedural matter to do with how the parties run their cases and how the judge controls the timetable and the costs. The HMCS initiative is to do with the administrative functions of the court – how parties initiate proceedings, pay fees and liaise with the court.

The choice of Birmingham is not a random one. Readers of this site will be aware that the Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, and HHJ Simon Brown QC in particular, are taking the lead in rigourous case management. It is a modern court, with staff who are extremely keen to make every aspect of the BCJC’s service run efficiently.

The workshops will take place as follows:

London – Romney Street, 15 May 2008 from 16:00 to 18:00
Birmingham – Temple Court, 19 May 2008 from 16:00 to 18:00

Places are limited and must be booked. The details are given on the Law Society web site.

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