Digital working is at the centre of the CJS Efficiency Programme. Criminal justice agencies are now able to share a digital file - instead of paper - to carry out substantial parts of the criminal justice process. Work has started on the next phase that will see agencies working even better together.

To support the move to new ways of working, guidance has been agreed that sets out clearly the legal basis for digital working. This is provided as the background to separate practical advice within each department/agency on action to take where digital working is not yet possible.

The guidance has been agreed across criminal justice agencies and in consultation with the judiciary and defence practitioner representative bodies and covers the legal provisions that apply to working with digital materials and electronic methods of service in both the magistrates? court and Crown Court.