Portugal Fujitsu Awarded Contract to Deliver New Criminal Courts Complex Technology Solutions

Fujitsu has been awarded a contract to deliver and manage a range of advanced technology solutions for the new Criminal Courts Complex, which is currently being built in Dublin. The new complex, once completed, will boast court rooms that will be among the most technologically advanced in the World. As part of this contract, Fujitsu will be implementing a range of solutions that will include; video conferencing, digital audio recording and electronic evidence systems.

The implementation and five year Managed Service contracts were awarded to Fujitsu following an open EU Procurement process and are valued at over €7m.

The Criminal Courts Complex, which will set a new standard for criminal justice facilities in Ireland, is scheduled to open in early 2010. It will house the Courts of Criminal Appeal, Special Criminal Court, Central Criminal Court Circuit Criminal Court, the District Courts and associated facilities.

“This landmark building will the single greatest investment in courts buildings and services since the building of the Four Courts in 1796, said John Mahon, Head of Public Private Partnerships at the Courts Service. “With the implementation of advanced technology systems and services it will be a major step forward in delivering on the commitments in our Modernisation programme and assist us in providing an enhanced level of service to all our stakeholders. On completion, this will become the new benchmark for Court facilities worldwide.”

The implementation of video conferencing systems, by Fujitsu, will enable the delivery of witness testimony from remote or vulnerable witnesses. This will provide ongoing savings by reducing travel costs and time for witnesses including members of An Garda Síochána.

Fujitsu will also be implementing Electronic Evidence Distribution which will enable images of evidence being entered into court to be immediately transmitted to individual monitors for senior counsel, jury members and the presiding judge. The images will also be transmitted to large screens around the court for viewing by all others in attendance.

As part of this contract, the new Courts Complex will also benefit from a Digital Audio Recording (DAR) system. Proceedings in all courtrooms will be recorded, providing an accurate record of evidence in all cases, which can be subsequently accessed for preparation of transcripts or for playback either within the courtroom or otherwise, as required. The implementation of DAR forms part of the Courts Service’s Change Modernisation Programme and is currently being piloted across a number of court rooms in the country as part of the €16m contract awarded to Fujitsu in January this year.

“The development at the Criminal Courts Complex will be the largest public service building since the founding of the state and we’re delighted that Fujitsu has a key role in ensuring it’s at the cutting edge, said Regina Moran, CEO of Fujitsu. “Advanced technology systems will be part of the fabric of this building and high availability and reliability will be imperative. We have the experience and confidence to deliver that. We have delivered advanced court room solutions to clients worldwide and we’re looking forward to working with the Courts Service and deliver a world class environment.”

The development of the Criminal Courts Complex is by way of a Public Private Partnership with Babcock and Brown. Fujitsu will be working alongside overall Electrical Contractors, O’Kane’s, to ensure the smooth implementation of the technology element of the project. PJ Hegarty & Sons are the main design and build contractor on the project.