NICOSIA – A sign of the digital times, perhaps, as Cyprus' Supreme Court said it will allow judges in lower courts to deal with cases remotely instead of having everyone involved appear before them.

That had been recommended by the Cyprus Bar Association, which welcomed the decision, said Philenews of the regulation that will allow lawyers and others in cases electronically submit requests for a postponement of a case as well as written.

Six months ago, the pilot version of the island’s e-Justice platform was finally launched with the objective of streamlining legal processes and trying to reduce time-consuming practices, the report said.

A pilot version of the program was in place but ended on July 30 but the high court ruling lets it pick up again, the aim being to bring together litigants, advocates, law firms, court staff, clerks, judges, the police and relevant governmental authorities remotely instead of live.