Government data reveals delays in court system

The latest government data on court waiting times in England & Wales show more long delays and frustrations for consumers seeking access to justice.

The Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly for September to November 2023 (i) shows little to no improvement in performance. Record highs continue despite fewer cases entering the system.

The new data reveals that the mean time for small claims and multi/fast track claims to go to trial are 55.6 weeks and 76.4 weeks respectively. This is well above the 38.1 weeks and 59.4 weeks experienced in 2019 before the pandemic. It is also a month more than the previous quarter for 2023.

Matthew Maxwell Scott, executive director of ACSO, said the numbers reflect poorly on attempts by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to turn the situation around.

“Every quarter brings fresh disappointments, and it’s not as though any of this can be laid at the door of covid as the problems predate the pandemic,” he said, adding: “The government seems largely to have given up on civil justice, and the system now feels third rate.

ACSO has gained momentum in its campaign to address civil justice delays. The House of Commons Justice Select Committee has decided to investigate issues at the county courts, and it’s actively seeking evidence until December 15.

Maxwell Scott said: “We urge people working on the front line of civil justice to submit their experiences of what is really happening, and how delays, cancellations and added costs are letting down those who depend on our courts. In the New Year, the committee should grill ministers and officials on what they intend to do about this, and by when.

Meanwhile weekly data published from the Civil National Business Centre (CNBC) in Northampton – the new national processing centre for civil claims – shows a similarly patchy performance. The time taken for different processes is falling in some areas but still rising in others. This is despite it having had a ‘recovery plan’ in place since August to reduce backlogs.

Maxwell Scott continued: “While the previous excuse that delays were being caused by the transfer of civil administration work from Salford to Northampton was understandable once, it has worn pretty thin.

“There have been welcome improvements against some dire statistics in the summer, but in some areas these are ticking back up. Once again, HMCTS needs to explain why this is the case and what it intends to do about it.

“The numbers represent material delays for consumers and can significantly increase costs, and on top of this we are expecting to see court fees rise by a further 10 per cent in March, subject to the government’s ongoing consultation.”

Image: © DAPA Images via Canva

Emma Cockings Emma is a content editor for Claims Media. Emma is a experienced writer with a background in client-centric personal injury for a major firm. She has attended and reported on multiple brokerage events throughout her career.