Select committee: Justice Committee
Conclusion 6
4th Report - Work of the County Court
Published 21 Jul 2025
Addressed to Ministry of Justice
Justice Committee Work of the County Court All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
We recognise the role that block listing plays in providing flexibility to the schedule considering the high settlement rate in the County Court. However, we have heard concerns that it negatively impacts court users through financial implications and the increased frustrations of all parties resulting in more people settling as a means to end the cycle of uncertainty. This ultimately undermines trust in the system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 41)
From: Justice Committee, 4th Report - Work of the County Court (HC 677), 21 July 2025
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 17 October 2025 (deadline 21 September 2025).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government says most of the Committee's 25 recommendations are "accepted in full", while it does not accept the call for a root-and-branch review of the County Court and sets out a different approach where it departs from a recommendation.
- It does not accept a root-and-branch review, saying it is "keen to focus on taking tangible and practical steps" to improve the County Court "without further delay".
- It does not accept that litigants should recover costs wasted by over-listing, stating that listing is a judicial function and over-listing is necessary because about 45% of cases settle before hearing. It considers improved, data-informed listing the "better strategic solution".
- It accepts that HMCTS should integrate Civil Auto File Share (CAFS) and improve contact services, and says CAFS will be delivered "by the end of the year".
- It commits to provide a breakdown of the £220 million capital spending, by letter to the Committee, "before the end March 2026". It also commits to deliver Find a Court or Tribunal improvements by September 2026.