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of a failed attempt at digital reform, recruitment and retention issues, and a complex and dysfunctional “patchwork” of outdated paper-based and digital systems.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 AI-generated
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
The government responded to this report on 17 October 2025. No passage in that response could be matched to this conclusion. Read the response document ↗