Civil court delays persist with minimal cases on the intermediate track.
- Only 135 cases assigned to the intermediate track by end of June.
- County court claims dipped slightly, yet significant rise in specific areas.
- Judicial review applications see a stark increase, hitting record highs.
- Ongoing operational issues in civil justice require urgent attention.
In the context of ongoing civil court delays, only 135 cases were assigned to the intermediate track by the end of June. This track was designed for claims valued between £25,000 and £100,000 and came into effect in October 2023. Despite its introduction, allocation appears slow, mirroring broader systemic delays.
From April to June 2024, a slight 1% decrease in county court claims was noted, totalling 414,000 cases. Contrastingly, there was a 13% rise in mortgage and landlord possession claims, reaching 30,000. Simultaneously, damages claims rose by 5%, driven largely by an 18% increase in personal injury cases surging to 16,000. The broader decrease in previous years has levelled, partly owing to policy reforms impacting case processing.
The average duration for small claims, from issuance to trial, was 50.6 weeks, observing a marginal reduction from the same period in 2023. It remains significantly high when compared to historic averages, highlighting regional variability, notably longer in London and the South East. Compulsory mediation introduced in May for claims valued up to £10,000 further emphasises the detailed nature of cases now proceeding to court.
On the multi/fast track, the average time to reach trial stands at 79.3 weeks, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year but addressing delays from the COVID-19 peak period. A notable 40% increase in judicial review applications, totalling 850, exemplifies a surge in intricate legal challenges, the highest since 2019.
Commentary from legal professionals underscores systemic inefficiencies. Matthew Maxwell Scott points to the necessity for focussed government intervention in civil justice, advocating for clear objectives to tackle delays. James Maxey elaborates on counterproductive processes, such as inefficient paper handling, that convolute court operations. He highlights the communication hurdles faced in liaising with the Civil National Business Centre.
The existing delays in civil court proceedings across various tracks demand targeted reforms and innovative dispute resolution approaches.
