Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Accepted
County Court's continued reliance on paper files causes significant delays and inefficiencies
Conclusion
It is very difficult to understand why the County Court continues to rely on paper files, which need to be shipped around the country at great cost. Paper is a serious cause of the delays in the County Court, caused by a “patchwork” of systems and case reference numbers, and standing at direct odds with the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to digital transformation. (Conclusion, Paragraph 136)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concern and is already implementing the Civil Auto File Share (CAFS) project to digitize paper files, enable electronic transfer between courts, and work towards a fully paperless Civil National Business Centre.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Accept. Under the Civil Auto File Share project (CAFS), HMCTS is introducing a new system (via Microsoft PowerApps) to increase the use of electronic document management processes to ensure effective working within the Civil National Business Centre (CNBC) and to ensure case files are transferred electronically between the CNBC and local County Courts. The aim is to eliminate the reliance on physical post, streamline workflows, and enhance transparency and efficiency for users and staff alike. To mitigate digital exclusion and ensure all users benefit, for those unable to submit claims digitally, documents are scanned in and added to the electronic case file. Our ambition to make the Civil National Business Centre (CNBC) fully paperless is progressing. By digitising paper files and enabling secure file sharing within HMCTS, we’re reducing the cost and unreliability of posting, while improving efficiency across the board. The rollout of CAFS began at the end of August and is already helping to streamline how we transfer case files—saving time, money, and effort.