Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
4th Report - Work of the County Court
Justice Committee
HC 677
Published 21 July 2025
Recommendations
31
Accepted in Part
Introduce a single integrated case management system providing real-time status updates for all cases
Recommendation
A single case management system must be introduced to provide real time status updates for all cases, integrating both Reform and legacy systems. (Recommendation, Paragraph 130)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation in principle, stating real-time status updates are available on new digital services and will be introduced as part of possession digitalisation, but does not explicitly commit to a single system integrating all legacy and Reform cases.
Ministry of Justice
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33
Accepted in Part
Issue a single reference number for all claims, integrating paper and digital systems
Recommendation
All claims must be issued a single reference number regardless of the “off-ramps and on-ramps” between paper and digital systems. (Recommendation, Paragraph 137)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts in part, stating that HMCTS systems use different case numbers but they are updating Reform systems to ensure users are provided with the correct applicable reference numbers for each case, regardless of system transitions.
Ministry of Justice
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Conclusions (1)
38
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Despite the bold ambitions of the Ministry of Justice, the piecemeal approach that has been taken to digitisation hampers any intentions of adopting a fully digital court process. Existing systems inhibit the early adoption of AI or a move to digital court bundles despite the innovation occurring in the legal …
Government Response Summary
The government accepts in part, detailing the AI Action Plan for Justice published in July 2025 which outlines a responsible approach to AI adoption across the justice system, and highlighting ongoing HMCTS pilots for AI-powered solutions to improve court operations.