The UK Justice Committee has initiated a new inquiry to scrutinize the increasing delays in the County Court system, a matter of significant interest for legal professionals. This development was announced on Tuesday, marking a renewed focus on this long-standing issue. Recent data highlights troubling trends: the average trial wait time for small claims cases has risen to 50.6 weeks, while multi or fast-track cases now average 79.3 weeks—an increase of 14 and 20.2 weeks, respectively, since 2019.
The inquiry, led by Committee Chair Andy Slaughter, aims to tackle these delays by examining several key areas, including resource allocation, technology’s role, and the experiences of litigants in person. They also plan to assess the impacts of legislative reforms, evaluate fee structures, and understand why previous solutions have not been effective.
This initiative is seen as timely and necessary, particularly as civil justice continues to lag, impacting thousands. Matthew Maxwell Scott of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations emphasized the importance of the inquiry, highlighting that the majority of citizens engage with the law through the civil courts, which are in dire need of reform to restore public confidence.
This inquiry follows a previously intended investigation that was suspended due to a general election. The comprehensive approach now being undertaken seeks to draw insights from across the sector to develop actionable solutions that can address these challenges and improve the efficiency of the County Court system.