Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 43
43
Rejected
Launch urgent, comprehensive, root-and-branch review of the County Court by Spring 2026
Recommendation
We recommend an urgent and comprehensive, root-and-branch review of the County Court. This review must be launched by Spring 2026 and encompass recruitment and retention challenges within both the Judiciary and HMCTS, establish a realistic and sustainable plan for future digitisation and capital investment, and explore the future role of artificial intelligence. The overarching goal must be to reduce the systemic delays and inefficiencies entrenched across the County Court. It is not tenable to continue without fundamental reform. (Recommendation, Paragraph 159) 61
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation for a root-and-branch review, stating they prefer to focus on tangible and practical steps already underway to improve County Court operations, such as improved timeliness of claims, call waiting times, and case management systems.
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.