A six-month pilot scheme will test the relevance of teleconferencing in Family Court hearings.
The court's principal judge, Peter Boshier, has already taken part in a demonstration of the scheme - a mock hearing in which he was connected to lawyers in three South Island towns.
The mock hearings revolved around fictional clients such as John Brown, a young boy whose safety was compromised by his mother's former partner.
One of the participants, Queenstown lawyer Dale Lloyd says the technology could reduce delays in similar cases.
She says a judge only visits her local family court once a month, but audio-visual technology means discussions can be carried out more easily.
However, Ms Lloyd believes it is still essential to have everyone in the same room for hearings where a viewpoint is to be debated.
Courts Minister Chester Borrows says the pilot scheme will begin early in 2013 involve courts from Gore south, where travelling distances are problematic.
Listen to more