Britain's county courts face an overhaul, under government plans announced today to cut costs and modernise the court system by allowing litigants to settle civil lawsuits over the internet.

The court service aims to "rationalise" its 222 county courts and replace some of their services with a new website to administer civil claims normally made in person or by post.

The plans, unveiled today by the Lord Chancellor's department, will update a court system that has hardly changed since the 1840s. A consultation paper, Modernising the Civil Courts, proposes a future of "paperless court rooms", where evidence is submitted electronically and writs settled entirely online.

Annoucing the plans, David Lock, a minister in the Lord Chancellor's department, said that the courts are "scattered through the country in a way which owes more to history than to logic or customers' needs today."

Mr Lock said that the online system should result in cheaper and faster settlement of claims for litigants.

"We want internet technology to provide round the clock access," he said. "It's very important that we receive the best elements of traditional and face-to-face justice in our courts while, at the same time, accessing the benefits of new technology."

Preston county court will be the first to handle claims online. From 5 February, litigants will be able to use the internet to file an initial application to the court.

The Lord Chancellor's office plans to introduce further elements of the claims process, such as straightforward money claims, at a later date.

In addition, two pilot schemes of electronic centres offering advice on the court system are being set up in Shropshire.

Some county courts in towns and cities could be closed to make sure centres for legal hearing are better spread through England and Wales - for example, two of London's 16 country courts are just one mile apart.

Meanwhile, courts backroom workers could be centralised to cut costs, says the report, meaning that fewer staff will be needed.

People who do not have access to a computer could still use the internet system through the Citizens' Advice Bureau, libraries and digital television, or use the traditional application methods in person at new legal hearing centres in existing buildings such as magistrates or
coroners courts.

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