Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell

To better understand the different elements of family law, people can now access family law information developed using plain language and displayed in an accessible and user-friendly way.

To prepare users before attending court, the new 360 Virtual Tours have also been launched, allowing people to experience the look and feel of the courts in advance. The 360 Virtual Tours demonstrate what to expect both outside and inside the building. So, by the time a person arrives in court they are better prepared to engage in the process.

Mr Justice O’Donnell said: “Ultimately with the Courts Service designing these information points, ‘with users for users’, we believe will lead to a better experience for people and their families, as well as the Courts Service staff, judiciary and practitioners with whom they engage throughout the process.

“Improved information helps those trying to exercise their rights through the system, by reducing anxiety of unfamiliarity out of the process. The virtual tours, which were funded thanks to the Public Service Innovation Fund, likewise lift a cloud of unfamiliarity for those needing to attend court venues.”

Mr Harris commented: “These new services area really positive example of the potential of the Courts Service Modernisation Programme to deliver an improved and more modern operating model designed around the court user. They have been developed with a user-first mentality and carefully crafted based on user feedback, to address the obstacles users have previously experienced when engaging with the Courts and court processes.

“It is this kind of commitment, forward thinking and innovation that is integral to making our justice system work better for everyone by improving systems and increasing efficiencies. My Department recently published the first National Family Justice Strategy, one of the goals of which is to improve access to clear, easy-to -understand information for court users of all ages. Developments like those being launched today by the Courts Service, providing information on family law in plain English, are so important in making the family justice system more accessible.”