Litigants will be able to sue over the internet and judges deal with preliminary applications by email, under government plans unveiled yesterday to bring the Victorian county court system into the 21st century.

People will be able to launch small claims by computer, filling in a claim form on screen and sending it through to a processing centre by a mouse click.

A working prototype demonstrated yesterday by the Lord Chancellor's Department minister, David Lock, is ready to be put on a website. But ministers want to provide more back-up help for users before going live.

Under the plans, outlined in a consultation paper, Modernising the Civil Courts, county court offices, where paperwork is processed, would be rationalised and centralised. The aim is to move as far as possible to a "virtual" or paperless court for the early stages of a case, though trials would still take place in a courtroom. Many steps which now have to be taken by post, such as asking for a judgment against a defendant who has produced no defence, will be able to be done by telephone or internet.

Through the internet and call centres, litigants will have 24 hours a day, seven days a week access to information about the progress of their cases and how to file a claim.

People without access to a computer will still be able to use the internet system through the Citizens' Advice Bureau or libraries, and could still go to a hearing centre in person or apply by post.

Under a pilot scheme launched last July, judges in three centres - the court of appeal, Leeds and Cardiff county courts - are experimenting with video-conferencing for brief court applications, allowing lawyers and parties to take part without the need to travel to court.

Video-conferencing was used for the first high court application to decide the fate of the conjoined twins Jodie and Mary, although the judge, Mr Justice Johnson, had complaints about its efficiency.

Other pilots planned include:

• A scheme at Preston county court, to be launched on February 5, to explore the use of email to reduce the need to attend court. Litigants will email the judge with interim applications - those that need decisions before the case goes to trial.

• Touch screen kiosks, to be launched shortly to provide advice, information and court forms at libraries in Telford and Madeley in Shropshire. They will include a video link to the local Citizens' Advice Bureau so customers can access on-screen advice.

Mr Lock said the county court procedures had not changed much in 150 years. Courts still opened from 10am to 4pm, the typical hours for Victorian businesses.

County courts were "scattered through the country in a way which owes more to history than to logic or needs today", he added.

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

London's 16 county courts may be rationalised down to about four. In other centres, underused courts could be closed and hearings held in rooms at magistrates courts, coroners courts or local council buildings.

But Mr Lock denied that the exercise was about closing county courts and said the geographical spread of courts was unlikely to be affected.