Guilty pleas might be entered online under a technology shake-up planned for South Australia's legal system.

The Courts Administration Authority is seeking a computer-based system for electronic filing of criminal and civil actions across all courts and warns waiting times are likely to increase unless the change is made.

"The courts continue to operate around paper files," the authority said in its tender documents.

"The world is radically changing — smartphones, tablets, social media, new payment and delivery services are forcing business processes and entire business models to change.

"Technological innovation continues to remove boundaries. The justice sector is not immune from these changes and must undergo a profound transformation to meet increasing demands for the timely resolution of legal disputes."

A digital system would allow court files to be created via web browsers and smartphone apps, providing access 24 hours a day.

A budget of $25 million has been set for the new technology, and it would mean some mediation and trial processes, along with guilty pleas, could be submitted online.

"We are positioning ourselves for an environment where copious quantities of paper, photos and other physical forms of evidence and supporting materials are replaced by gigabytes, if not terabytes, of digital evidence," the courts authority said.

"Storing, tracking and managing this evidential material will present challenges that must be met."

Improved access to justice: Law Society

Law Society president David Caruso said he was delighted with the proposal.

"Modernisation of technology and technology advancement generally improves our lives — and one way to improve the lives of the community is by ensuring access to justice," he said.

"By being able to e-file documents, lawyers will save time lodging and attending court as a result, which will provide savings for our clients.

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis hopes efficiencies will mean better access to justice for the community. ( ABC News )

"Having everything online through an IT system potentially creates greater access to filed material for the public, through the media or through interested parties being able to make applications, with easier and improved access to justice."

He said the Law Society liked the idea of paperless courts as it would reduce the need for lawyers to grapple with heavy suitcases of files.

Mr Caruso said the suggestion guilty pleas could be submitted online needed careful consideration.

"Obviously when we're dealing with the criminal justice system and criminal sanctions we want to ensure the import of the court, and the respect for the decisions it makes, by having those subjects to those decisions present," he said.

The Law Society president said the legal system would need to achieve the right balance between traditional court process and the possibility of internet-based trials in the future.

Changes expected by end of decade

The Courts Administration Authority said it planned to have the new electronic case management system in place by 2020 at the latest.

Chairman of the State Courts Administration Council, Chief Justice Chris Kourakis said it was important to maximise benefits which could be achieved from digital technologies.

"[It] is a significant step forward in the continuous process of transforming the courts," he said.

"Through designing new court and administrative processes, the courts will maximise the benefits of digital technologies.

"This will result in substantial benefits to the community through cost reductions and efficiency improvements."