YORK Crown Court staff are taking their wigs, gowns and legal documents to Leeds next month while the historic court house is modernised.

The judicial process will not be interrupted as all cases are to be tried at Leeds Combined Court Centre while the York court building, near Clifford's Tower, undergoes a four-week refit.

New technology, such as computer terminals, will be installed in all parts of the listed building as part of the Courts and Tribunals Modernisation Programme.

The scheme aims to streamline the court process by introducing better communications between prosecutors and court staff, as well as piloting online money orders and the electronic display of evidence.

Acting court manager Mike Molloy said workers rewiring the courts and installing new hardware faced a delicate job because of the building's age.

He said the building, which was designed by John Carr and dates back to 1777, has its "own peculiarities" and would be preserved in its current state.

Mr Molloy said: "Changes to court processes will follow in due course, but the implications are in the future there will be more joining up between the Crown Prosecution Service and the court. This is the first step."

Legal staff, defendants and witnesses, as well as members of the Probation Service and Police officers, have all been informed of the changes.

The courthouse will be closed for four weeks from Monday, August 4, to Friday, August 29. More information is available by phoning the Crown Court on 01904 645121.

Updated: 10:44 Friday, July 25, 2003