A BOLTON law firm is using telephone hearings to save time and money in civil cases.

Kippax Beaumont Lewis makes use of a system which has been operating in the High Courts in Liverpool and Manchester for the last two years.

Issues are decided over a link-up involving the judge and opposing solicitors.

Mr Michael Slater of Kippax Beaumont Lewis said: "We have made good use of the system and saved our clients substantial sums."

From April 26 the law changes and all civil courts in the country will theoretically be able to make use of telephone hearings.

Mr Slater added: "Only this week I was able to conduct a hearing between myself, a London solicitor and a judge in Manchester.

"It was all over in 35 minutes, but had either party had to travel the extra costs would have been enormous."

He said the system made use of BT's 3-Way Calling service with prior agreement on which documents were required.

"As of April 26 we will be able to save money for more of our clients - a solicitor will be able to handle more applications in a given day and retain control of cases where an agent might previously have been instructed," Mr Slater added.

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