New rules introduced to the United Kingdom's legal system could see criminals sentenced over Skype, but the New Zealand Law Society says it's unlikely to happen here any time soon.

Judges in the UK have been given power to hand down sentences to criminals over webcam chat services Skype and Facetime. Convicted defendants will learn their fate sitting miles away from the judge, in adapted rooms in police stations or in specially-converted vans or buses.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas said sentences given using this method will typically be lighter sentences including fines and community service.

However New Zealand Law Society president Kathryn Beck says that while audio-visual link is currently used in bail applications and preliminary criminal and civil matters, a decision was made not to use the technology for sentencing.

"The logic was that sentencing is such an important thing that happens that it's important for the both the victim and the defendant, and the public too, that they are able to see the judge and have that sort of hearing done in person."

"It's quite a personal aspect of the criminal justice system, and it should remain personal."