05 September 2025
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Regan explores the implications of landmark rulings, including the Supreme Court’s sensitive handling of car finance litigation and the upcoming phone-hacking trial against The Daily Mail. He critiques the ‘unwritten rule’ that judgments be delivered within three months, noting Lady Justice Falk’s nuanced view that rushed decisions may also deny justice. Regan also reflects on the libel defeat of actor Noel Clarke and the tragic conclusion of the Autonomy saga.
His commentary paints a vivid picture of a legal system under strain, where vehicles—literal and metaphorical—drive much of the profession’s workload.
