Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Paragraph: 14
Court estate maintenance backlog is a serious problem impacting court capacity and justice delivery.
Conclusion
The maintenance backlog in the court estate is a serious problem. While there are some good court buildings, far too many are in a poor condition. This is having a negative effect on other elements of court capacity and, if not addressed, risks undermining the delivery of the high-quality justice system which this country expects.
Government Response Summary
The government is investing £1.3 billion to transform the justice system, including implementing 21st-century technology and online services, with the reform programme expected to complete by December 2023.
Paragraph Reference:
14
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We are investing £1.3 billion to transform the justice system, including introducing 21st Century technology and online services to increase access to justice and improve efficiency. The programme is continuing to reform the remaining services and is on track to complete by December 2023 as planned. HMCTS will continue to publish information about the services that are being reformed on their website. The NAO have included the Court Reform programme in its pipeline of work, and this is expected to publish in Winter 22/23. This study builds on the NAO’s past work on HMCTS’s reform programme, including Early progress in transforming courts and tribunals and Transforming courts and tribunals: a progress update. It will examine HMCTS’s progress in implementing its reform programme, including following up on previous NAO recommendations.