This will be the second Justice Committee inquiry into the county court in two years. In its 2022 report, the committee urged the government to set out what steps it is taking to reduce delays and to improve the judicial, physical, digital and staff capacity of the county court. However, figures published last month showed delays have since increased.
Average times for April to June 2023 were up one week to 52.3 weeks for small claims and up 2.8 weeks to 78.2 weeks for multi/fast track claims to go to trial, according to the latest Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly. Taking a longer view by comparing the latest figures to those for 2019, small claims now take an extra 15.7 weeks and multi/fast track claims take an extra 19.1 weeks.
Committee chair, Sir Bob Neill said: ‘The situation is worsening not improving and it’s right the committee examines this deterioration and takes evidence from those impacted by delays, staffing levels, access, as well as other issues.
‘The work of the county court shouldn’t be the Cinderella of the justice system. It affects a significant proportion of the public, who rely on it to deliver justice. If it doesn’t have the resources it needs to function effectively then it will have a real impact on people’s lives, as well as on the economy.’
The committee is inviting written evidence by 14 December. It is seeking evidence on the extent of regional variations and the effect of delays on litigants and the administration of justice. It is also interested in the ways in which the court engages with litigants in person, in the court’s accessibility for people with disabilities, and in whether there is sufficient judicial capacity and staffing in the court, and more. See bit.ly/45TdGSf.
