Peter Causton casts an eye over recent plans to modernise the Chancery Division
It is apparent from the report that the decision-making in the Division is held in high regard and that there is no requirement for radical reform, so the focus is upon cultural change. No discussion of the Division can be complete without mentioning Dickens’ Bleak House, which some might consider to be the first review of the Division. Briggs LJ reports that there was no hint of the old Bleak House criticism in the consultation responses, but there are problems which do need addressing. He identifies long delays in obtaining hearings before registrars and criticises the lack of modern IT. Judges have no electronic diaries and there is no electronic filing system. There are unacceptable delays in drawing up orders and an absence of effective means of communication
