Small claims cases in the county courts are taking more than a year (54 weeks on average) to go to trial—an increase of 30 weeks since 2010
More complex, high-value cases take more than a year and a half (80 weeks on average) to reach trial. The figures are drawn from ‘Civil justice statistics quarterly: January to March 2024’, published by the Ministry of Justice.
The statistician’s comment noted regional variation in the small claims data, with longer waiting times experienced in London and the South East.
Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said: ‘We know that delays can result in litigants dropping their claims, rather than put more time and money into them.’
He said eight courts, including Doncaster Justice Centre North and Blackpool County Court, had closed due to the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, while others were affected by leaky roofs.
