Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Rejected
County Court functions as a 'Cinderella service' facing systemic delays and reform failures
Conclusion
The County Court is the ‘Cinderella service’ of the justice system in England and Wales. It is beset by delays as a result of a failed attempt at digital reform, recruitment and retention issues, and a complex and dysfunctional “patchwork” of outdated paper-based and digital systems. (Conclusion, Paragraph 157)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a root and branch review, preferring to focus on practical steps to improve the County Court's operation, highlighting improvements already seen in timeliness, call waiting times, mediation, and case management.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Not accepted. The work of the Justice Committee through its Work of the County Court Inquiry has been meticulous and thorough. The Inquiry itself has provided a solid foundation and highlighted the areas of the County Court’s operation that need urgent attention. Rather than focusing on a root and branch review of the County Court, the Government is keen to focus on taking tangible and practical steps to improve the operation of the County Court – which will benefit everyday users – without further delay. We are already seeing these measures bear fruit with improvements to the timeliness of claims that got to trial, improving call waiting times, growth in small claims mediation and further improvements to case management and file transfer systems.