The wide-ranging Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) could save public money by allowing overseas witnesses to give written evidence in court instead of having to fly to Bermuda.

That was one of the benefits of the new system outlined at a training session organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) of Bermuda, which opened on Monday.

Besides new rules on the way that suspects in criminal cases should be treated by the Police, PACE makes significant changes to the way evidence is handled in the court system. Part of the act came into effect on October 2, with the rest due to come in next year.

In his opening remarks to the training session, Chief Justice Richard Ground said of the new rules on evidence: "These could represent a quite important and cost-saving change in the way we do business. They will allow evidence to be given in writing by witnesses who are unable to attend because they're overseas or because they're unfit."

The two day multi-disciplinary training session, which is being held at the Hamilton Princess hotel, has been organised by Puisne Justice Norma Wade-Miller, chairman of the JTI. Judges, magistrates, prosecutors and Police officers are all participating.

In her opening address, Attorney General Kim Wilson said: "As judges, lawyers, prosecutors and Police officers, we share a common ground and desire with regards to enforcement and practice of the law.

"We have the privilege and opportunity to serve the cause of justice and our experiences and exchanges in this kind of professional education setting will no doubt enhance our joint cooperation and coordination as we apply the rule of law in our respective areas."

Heralding the far-reaching changes set to come about under the new law, she said: "PACE is important for protecting the rights of individuals from arbitrary interference when they come into contact with the Police, but it also provides those of you who are Police officers with an important set of rules and procedures that protect you in your contact with the public.

"PACE will serve to minimise challenges that prosecutors face in court with regard to the way evidence has been gathered. Most importantly, PACE is a tried and trusted approach for magistrates and judges in progressive justice systems.

"Our aim is to ensure that the PACE laws are thoroughly applied, fairly interpreted and successfully implemented. The emphasis today on training and on changing our mindset will help to ensure that these reforms are not undermined by any unfair practice that plagued the legal system in the past."

The training is being delivered by Sir Christopher Pitchers, a retired UK High Court judge.