The Justice Committee has launched an
inquiry into the access to justice implications of the programme
of reforms underway in Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service
(HMCTS), including the increasing use of digital and video
technology and the closures of courts and tribunal hearing
centres.
The inquiry follows on from the July 2018 report of the
Public Accounts Committee into Transforming Courts and
Tribunals which focussed mainly on the deliverability of the
reforms and their financial implications.
The £1billion package of reforms announced in a joint vision
statement - Transforming Our Justice
System - published by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief
Justice, and the Senior President of Tribunals in 2016 - sets out
proposals to move to a justice system where cases are
increasingly resolved online. Along with this move to increasing
use of online processes and video hearings, the courts and
tribunals estate is being reformed, including through closures of
courts and hearing centres. The Government’s stated overarching
aim is to increase access to justice while making the system more
efficient overall.
The Committee’s inquiry into the HMCTS reform programme will
consider the progress made with the reforms so far and the
implications of planned changes, particularly in relation to
access to justice.
Chair of the Justice Committee, MP, said:
“There is no doubt that the HMCTS reforms represent a
significant change in the delivery of justice across all areas of
the system. While we welcome the intention of modernising the
courts and tribunals, the Public Accounts Committee has already
raised concerns about the deliverability of the reforms. We are
worried about the access to justice implications and will take
this opportunity to put those at the heart of our inquiry.”
Terms of reference
The Committee is interested in evidence of the effects and
potential effects of the HMCTS reform programme on access to
justice, as well as the management of the reform process.
The Committee invites written submissions, addressing all
or some of the terms of reference below, by 11 March
2019.
- What will be the likely effects of the reforms, both
implemented and proposed, on access to justice in relation to:
- civil justice?
- family justice?
- criminal justice?
- administrative justice, particularly as delivered by the
tribunals system?
- those who are digitally excluded or require support to
use digital services?
- What are the effects on access to justice of court and
tribunal centre closures, including the likely impact of closures
that have not yet been implemented; and of reductions in HMCTS
staffing under the reform programme? For users, how far can
online processes and video hearings be a sufficient substitute
for access to court and tribunal buildings?
- Have the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS consulted effectively
on the reforms, and maintained sufficient communication, with:
- Judicial office holders at all levels of seniority?
b. The legal professions and the advice
sector?
c. Other relevant stakeholders?
- Have the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS taken sufficient steps
to evaluate the impact of reforms implemented so far, including
those introduced as pilots; and have they made sufficient
commitment to evaluation in future?
Information on how to submit written evidence is
available here. The portal to
submit evidence is here.
