The U.K. Ministry of Justice is exploring how it can use blockchain technology to secure digital evidence, CoinDesk reported.

Deputy director Balaji Anbil said that the objective is to use the technology to simplify court processes for handling digital evidence. Anbil joined Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), an executive agency sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, to establish and lead the Digital Architecture and Cyber Security team.

In a blog post dated August 23, he said that HMCTS recently hosted the first meeting on the use of DLT in securing digital evidence. Anbil said that DLT enables new innovative data solutions that support both high degrees of integrity and de-centralisation.

"At HMCTS, we are passionate about the application of novel solutions to traditional challenges including evidence sharing, identity management and ensuring citizens have maximum control over their own information. Our service designs are focused on value, simplicity and use of the best modern technology approaches. This brings numerous benefits including cost effective and timely delivery and future proof solutions."

Anbil further noted the use of DLT in government projects in the UK and Europe. He particularly emphasized Estonia’s efforts in harnessing the DLT potential saying “Estonia is an early adopter and has developed innovative citizen identity management solutions using blockchain.”

“In the UK, researchers at the University of Surrey are working with the National Archives on Digital Ledger Technology solutions to secure digital archives. We are following this work with interest and plans to trial Digital Ledger Technology solutions for inter-agency evidence sharing later in 2018,” he added.