Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Accepted
Common Platform system operation has vastly improved and is now reliable
Conclusion
We were relieved to hear from HMCTS that the operation of Common Platform has “vastly improved” over the last few years, describing it as a “a good and stable system”, and that HMCTS now has confidence in the system’s reliability.89 HMCTS told us that it introduced Common Platform gradually into the Crown Court to minimise the inherent risks associated with introducing a brand–new IT system. We were told by HMCTS that it is building on the foundation it has established introducing digitisation to the courts, for example looking to realise the potential of AI to improve the management of cases within the criminal justice system.90 82 Q 2 83 Q 61 84 Q 84 85 Q 84 86 Letter from HMCTS to PAC, 22 January 2025 87 CCB0001, p1, para 5 88 Letter from HMCTS to PAC, 22 January 2025 89 Q 84; Letter from HMCTS to PAC, 22 January 2025 90 Qq 84, 85 21
Government Response Summary
The government confirms continued trials of AI in courts and tribunals, though scaling up is dependent on future Spending Review funding. It also outlines plans for further digitisation, including decommissioning legacy systems (Xhibit and Libra) by Spring 2027 to reduce dual-keying, and exploring improved integration between case management systems.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
7.6 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 7.7 HMCTS has been trialling several potential use cases for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 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. 7.8 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. 7.9 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. 7.10 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).