Sarah Sackman has backed virtual-court pilots in London and Sheffield intended to reduce delays by allowing hearings to be handled remotely by judges elsewhere in the country.
The courts minister said the approach would help make better use of resources and deliver faster justice for victims facing long waits.
The technology brings together judges, defendants, lawyers, court staff and witnesses online. It is designed to relieve pressure on the busiest courts by connecting cases with available judicial capacity.
The pilot excludes criminal trials. It covers other stages, including case management and sentencing, and participants can apply to the judge for a face-to-face hearing.
The pilots come ahead of further Commons scrutiny of the Courts and Tribunals Bill. Their effectiveness in reducing delays remains to be assessed.
