Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 26/02) - The Department of Justice is now equipped to use video conferencing to assist with court proceedings.

The new system was obtained by the department recently to allow a person to participate in a court proceeding from a remote location.

The new equipment, carrying a price tag of approximately $100,000, was provided by Justice Canada.

"It's new in general for courts across the country so we're working our way into it," said Bruce Mckay, director of court services.

The video system was used during a bail hearing on Wednesday and allowed a lawyer for the individual seeking bail to argue his case from his office in London, Ont.

That is an unusual circumstance, according to McKay, who said the video conferencing system is usually used for the testimony of an out-of-town witness.

The video conferencing system is expected to save the Department of Justice quite a bit of money.

Currently, the department foots the bill for all transportation costs incurred from bringing out-of-town crown and defence witnesses to Yellowknife for criminal trials.

For civil matters, the cost is absorbed by the party requiring the testimony for their case.

"It's an innovation," said McKay.