A new inquiry into county courts has been launched by the House of Commons Justice Committee amid mounting delays in the service. The inquiry follows ‘long-standing concerns over the resourcing and capacity’ of the country courts and its ‘deterioration’ in England and Wales.
The average time taken for small claims and multi/fast track claims to go to trial is currently 52.3 weeks and 78.2 weeks – a week longer and 2.8 weeks longer than last year.
The inquiry will take evidence from both claimant and defendant firms as well as a range of representative bodies and non-governmental organisations and civil justice minister Lord Bellamy KC.
The committee is calling for written evidence on the work of the county court covering subjects including the level of delay, accessibility, the condition of the court estate, technology, fees, staffing, and possible future reforms.
Committee chair Sir Bob Neill said: ‘The justice committee has held long-standing concerns over the resourcing and capacity of the county court and made strong recommendations to this effect in its 2022 report. More than a year on, claims data shows the situation is worsening not improving and it’s right the committee examines this deterioration and takes evidence from those impacted by delays, staffing levels, access, as well as other issues.
‘The work of the county court shouldn’t be the Cinderella of the justice system. It affects a significant proportion of the public, who rely on it to deliver justice. If it doesn’t have the resources it needs to function effectively then it will have a real impact on people’s lives, as well as on the economy.’
The association of consumer support organisations (ACSO) welcomed the announcement, describing delays at record highs ‘despite falling claims volumes in areas such as personal injury’.
ACSO director Matthew Maxwell Scott said: ‘It’s good that the committee has again responded to our pleas for an independent inquiry into one of the major issues facing civil justice. As with its ongoing work on the Civil Liability Act reforms, we trust the committee to look forensically at the problems faced and challenge the government to respond.
‘We’ve already urged the committee to ask experienced practitioners at the coalface why this is and seek their help to set out sensible ideas for tackling the backlogs, be this through targeted extra resources, better use of digital modernisation or more alternative dispute resolution, where appropriate.
‘Access to justice delayed is access to justice denied, and it is only right that the Justice Select Committee reminds ministers of this.’
This article is now closed for comment.
16 Readers' comments