MOSCOW, April 12 - RAPSI. A draft law allowing the courts to use videoconferencing in civil cases has been submitted to the parliament's lower house.

The litigating parties, their representatives, witnesses, experts and interpreters will be able to take part in the trial via videoconferencing "at the court's initiative and if technically possible".

Nevertheless, videoconferencing is prohibited if the proceedings are held in private.

In case of communication malfunctions the court will be entitled to postpone the hearing.

The draft law is meant to reduce the time of case consideration and improve the administration of justice, the bill authors said.

Videoconferencing will save money and time, help physically challenged people, disabled and prisoners, the draft law commentary reads.