Court digitalisation will improve access to justice claims government
9:22 AM, 3rd March 2026, 1 month ago
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The government claim they will spend more than £50 million to digitise the county courts to handle the court backlog.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy spoke following a report by Sir Brian Leveson, who warned the justice system is in crisis.
The news comes as Landlord Action figures reveal that landlords are facing the longest court waiting times in 20 years.
Improve access to justice
Mr Lammy claimed the government is committed to structural reform of the court system and will help drive investment in the court system by investing more than £50 million to progress digitalisation of the court system
He said: “This investment is not just about big business. The investment is designed to improve access to justice by cutting complexity and cost, and making it easier to resolve common everyday civil problems, such as when a business is failing to pay a supplier for goods provided or a dispute between a landlord and tenant over the condition of a property.
“Over a million claims have now been issued on our existing digital services for making money claims and damages claims. Cases consistently progress three times quicker through their early stages using these modern, user-focused services.
“The government is working with the Online Procedure Rule Committee, to develop rules for online proceedings that are simple to use, accessible and fair, fit for the digital age.”
Government has not provided clarity
The government have previously claimed a digitised court system will help landlords. However, as previously reported by Property118, the National Residential Landlords (NRLA) has warned the government has not provided clarity on how the courts will be prepared for the digital possession process.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “At Report Stage of the Renters’ Rights Act, the Housing Minister told the Commons that: “Court readiness is essential to the successful operation of the new system”. We agree with the Minister.
“However, the government has yet to define what it means by the courts being “ready”. Without that clarity, it is unclear what the planned digitisation of possession cases is intended to deliver or how success will be measured.
“More broadly, whilst the Master of the Rolls has indicated that the “first iteration” of the new digital platform to process possession cases is expected to be released in late Spring 2026, it remains unclear what this will look and feel like in practice for tenants and landlords, or the extent to which it will speed up the processing of legitimate possession claims.”
Figures by the Ministry of Justice reveal it took courts an average of more than eight months to process and enforce landlord claims last year.
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Member Since May 2022 - Comments: 89
9:45 AM, 3rd March 2026, About 1 month ago
A bit like “smashing the gangs then” 🤣🤣🤣
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
10:00 AM, 3rd March 2026, About 1 month ago
I retired 6 years ago, but just before that I tried to interest the MoJ in my company’s digital automated system for courts management. I was told the government was already investing many £millions. At the time, I provided a use case for how to handle ADR and evictions, which included AI support. Nobody was required to attend court. Everything done online. No more non-attendance ‘excuses’ from tenants. All documents digitised and available to all parties; no more ‘bundles’. Many more cases handled per day.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 147
11:06 AM, 3rd March 2026, About 1 month ago
Ha ha! Lammy & the communists will be out of power before they can spend the £50m..which they have`nt technically got. Court waiting times will not reduce signifcantly in the next half decade.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 788
11:35 AM, 3rd March 2026, About 1 month ago
Actually can be a very good idea, provided it remains impartial, and has plenty of common sense. Some of the Judges just don’t seem to have much common sense, though they may have done a degrees in Law, but they score zero in common sense, and Its true we get cowboys in every trade and profession, Judges aren’t exceptional, that’s why we have Appeal system to challenge a decision taken by a Judge, some of the sentences they give out to murders. is laughable whilst a petty crime you can be locked up for tens of years. I also encountered a very rude “Indian “female judge, I wish I had enough freedom of speech to name and shame her. God knows who gave her that job, This was in Bow Magistrates Court for an Eviction case, she wanted to throw my case out despite all the evidence against a tenant who did not turn up at the hearing.
Mind you AI could be made to be biased too, AI is a clever dick and can determine just by your name what is your age, ethnicity, your gender, and your political orientation, I think AI could also be a complete AH. Nothing would help Landlords
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
1:39 PM, 3rd March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Mike at 03/03/2026 – 11:35
One of my friends is a judge, and he doesn’t have a law degree. Quite amusing when we all get together over copious quantities of vino.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 41
5:10 PM, 3rd March 2026, About 1 month ago
Interesting. So the government ARE now admitting to there being a backlog? 🤣
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 342
5:56 PM, 3rd March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 03/03/2026 – 13:39
My friend is a magistrate, but his full time job is an air steward – also no legal qualifications!
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
6:45 AM, 4th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 03/03/2026 – 13:39
He’s a Magistrate not a Judge. My mistake.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
8:32 AM, 4th March 2026, About 1 month ago
‘commited to’ , ‘will spend’ .. I don’t see any words saying ‘in progress’ .. so another thing that will get kicked down the road.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1630 - Articles: 3
8:43 AM, 4th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by GlanACC at 04/03/2026 – 08:32
It was in progress… 7 years ago… apparently!