Twitter reacts: 'Not only Brexit has no Plan B'

As HMCTS’ computer chaos continues, lawyers take to Twitter to inject a bit of humour into the ongoing fiasco:

 

Hi, I’m a criminal barrister. You might know me from some of my greatest hits, like:
• It took me 20 sodding minutes to get into the building.
• I can’t get on to DCS.
• The egress link doesn’t work.
• I’m the 4th floater with 3 full courts.

— Jonathan Dunne (@DunneJonathan) January 20, 2019

 

The overall message from @HMCTSgovuk sounds like the railways ever since I started commuting: We are sorry we are useless and that our service gets lousier as the cost goes up, but our investment in the future will….. https://t.co/IOxKBqnxQN

— Chris Dale (@chrisdaleoxford) January 21, 2019

 

Today the failings of the IT systems across the CJS have been widespread. Nothing seemed to work at the Courts. Judges not having any idea what cases were about. And the staff having no idea what was happening. It isn’t only Brexit that has no Plan B.

— ViewFromTheNorth 🐝 (@jaimerh354) January 21, 2019

 

Welcome to week-two of the digital case system at Swansea Crown Court being out of action. The chaos is continuing. Somebody at HMCTS needs to reboot the Tandy computer which seemingly powers the system.

— Jason Evans (@EvansTheCrime) January 21, 2019

 

HMCTS had a bit of a weekend of IT chaos by the sounds of it. It’s a good job they aren’t in the process of putting more crucial processes online as the risks of further IT breakdowns could be high. Oh wait….https://t.co/rWCalbQS6T

— Law for Life & Advicenow (@LfL_Advicenow) January 21, 2019

 

Whilst some Tweeters try to see the funny side of the situation, many ask the questions on most lawyers’ lips:

Farcical stuff! Makes you wonder who won all the contracts and what testing/risk management took place? Again, couldn’t make it up!

— Tomas McGarvey (@RugbyBarrister) January 21, 2019

 

Any idea why the IT failure affecting the whole court estate isn’t being reported nationally?
Probation, Magistrates, Civil, Family, Criminal Crown, CPS all affected by it.
Not a whisper - why are MOJ so tight lipped? The longer the silence, the greater the speculation.

— Mary Aspinall-Miles (@MAM12CP) January 21, 2019

 

This was HMCTS boast earlier this year…hands up those of you who are finding it “quicker & easier to interact” with HMCTS today given the wholesale failure of their IT systems? @CEOofHMCTS if your team are doing their job properly, this should not happen…who is accountable? https://t.co/qJReHOLqyy

— Becky Owen (@BeckyBarrister) January 21, 2019

 

…and some are just relieved it’s not their problem anymore:

So glad I retired before electronic files came in !!

— Marguerite (@MargueriteMEE) January 21, 2019