Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Accepted
Assure accuracy of criminal justice datasets and set out scope for courts' digitisation.
Recommendation
Despite MoJ assuring us that it has rectified the processing errors that led to it publishing inaccurate Crown Court statistics, we remain concerned that other datasets within the criminal justice system may be affected by the same quality and accuracy issues. MoJ paused publication of Crown Court caseload data between June and December 2024 because it had found errors in its published data. Investigation by MoJ and HMCTS concluded that processing errors, introduced following the roll out of Common Platform (the new digital case management system for the criminal justice system), meant that data in relation to some Crown Court cases was inaccurate. Following work to rectify the data processing issues and correct errors in its published data, MoJ and HMCTS assured us that 8 they now have a significant level of confidence in the accuracy of Crown Court data. Nevertheless, we remain concerned that similar errors exist in caseload data elsewhere in the criminal justice system. We are encouraged to learn that HMCTS is looking very hard at other ways that digitisation can improve the functioning of the courts, including the potential to use AI to improve the management of cases. recommendation In its Treasury Minute response, MoJ should: • Set out how it has assured itself that other datasets within the criminal justice system are accurate and are not affected by the same issues that reduced the accuracy of Crown Court data. • MoJ should set out what scope it sees for further digitisation or the use of AI to enhance the efficiency of the courts and the timely administration of justice. 9 1 The Ministry of Justice’s oversight Introduction
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and outlines its scope for further digitisation and AI, including current trials of transcription and summarisation in tribunals, past AI knowledge management trials, and plans to decommission legacy systems by Spring 2027. Future expansion of AI and data sharing improvements are contingent on Spending Review funding.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. the courts and tribunals, working in collaboration with the judiciary. MoJ is in the early stages of proving the effectiveness of transcription in Immigration Tribunals, as well as some early exploration of hearing summarisation. It is anticipated that these could also be used in the Crown Court but would be subject to further pilots in that jurisdiction and is dependent on Spending Review (SR) funding. HMCTS has also previously trialled the use of AI for knowledge management to Common Platform (CP) users to provide operational staff with quicker and easier access to knowledge relevant to their roles and responsibilities. Scaling this up further is dependent on SR funding. More widely, HMCTS is collaborating with CJS partners about improving the efficiency of data sharing. This is at an early stage but could include the use of AI and a separate cross- CJS AI group is being formed to explore this. Again, this work is contingent on the outcome of the Spending Review. With regards to further digitisation, there are plans to decommission legacy systems (Xhibit and Libra) which will reduce dual-keying by Crown Court staff. This is currently planned to be completed by Spring 2027. In addition, the feasibility of improving integration between casework and document management systems is being explored (CP & Digital Case System).