UK courts pay high price for deadline promise

Fears that a new computer system for English and Welsh magistrates' courts would not be completed in time have resulted in the UK government spending £60m more public money than may be necessary.

Yesterday, a consortium led by ICL won a 10-year contract worth £183m to supply a system that will enable magistrates and people outside court to gain online access to details of trials, charges and convictions.

Services giant, EDS placed a bid of £120m to supply a similar system, but withdrew the offer after hearing its application had been labelled 'high risk'.

Marian Freeman, PR Manager at EDS, denied claims that the firm has criticised the Lord Chancellor's Department: "EDS has not complained. As a matter of routine and as part of the learning process, EDS asked for feedback on its submission. This is common practice for all outsourcing companies."

The new system, provided by ICL, Unisys and STL Technologies, will feature office automation and provide interfaces for the electronic transfer of information between courts, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, prisons and probation services.

The consortium has agreed to complete implementation by the end of 2001 - the deadline first agreed to by EDS.