Legal Commentary

Tech in the courtroom – two steps back

By David Canton

The National Post ran a story yesterday after a JP refused to allow defence counsel to use his laptop in the courtroom, on the basis that it violated a rule against electronic recording devices.  The trial was adjourned because his notes were on it, and he could not proceed without it.

The tech law community is collectively scratching its heads about this for many reasons.   Some judges and lawyers understand the advantages of and encourage tech in the courtroom, but others, as the article quotes Mr. Justice Thomas Granger:   “look on computers with disdain, clinging to ancient courtroom traditions.”

In my view, even if counsel was to record the proceedings for his/her own use – what’s the harm in that?    As I’ve said before, “because we’ve always done it that way” is never a good answer.

Full post as published by eLegal Canton on April 16, 2010 (boomark / email).