People called up for jury service can now reply on their PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

A new online platform launched on Tuesday allows potential jurors to confirm their availability, request a different date or authorise someone else to respond for them.

This means they no longer have to fill out and post back “cumbersome” paper forms, the Ministry of Justice said.

The department pointed to the results of a pilot scheme which showed that almost a fifth (19%) of users who tested the new service responded within seven days – compared with 1% under the paper-based system.

The Juror Digital scheme, which is being rolled out in England and Wales, is the latest step in the Government’s £1 billion drive to modernise the courts system.

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer said: “It makes complete sense to move more of our court processes online to fit around our busy modern lives.

“This impressive new system is a great example of how we are making it quicker and easier for people to exercise their democratic duty.

“We’ve already made it possible for people to apply for a divorce, appeal a tax bill and make a small money claim online, and this is the next common-sense step to continue modernising our justice system.”

Forms completed online accepting jury service summonses will be automatically uploaded to court systems to save staff time.

For those who struggle with technology, the paper form is still available, and there is telephone support for anyone who needs help using the new system, the MoJ said.