In 2016, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) set up a set of change programmes to introduce new technology and working practices to modernise and upgrade the justice system.
The reform programme, which covers crime, civil, family and tribunals, was driven by the need to address complex and inefficient case management systems and to achieve substantial efficiency savings. HMCTS has also had to deal with a rapidly changing operational environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The programme is now in the final phase and is expected to complete in 2023 - three years later than originally planned.
Following from the Committee’s previous 2019 Report into Transforming Courts and Tribunals: progress review and based on the latest National Audit Office (NAO) investigation into the Court Reform Programme the Committee will question senior officials at the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS on:
- the progress HMCTS has made against its plans in the face of changing circumstances;
- whether HMCTS has planned and rolled out its new digital case management system, Common Platform, effectively;
- whether HMCTS is on course to make a smooth transition to business as usual when the reform programme closes.
If you have evidence on these issues please submit it here by 6pm on Monday 20 March 2023.
Please have a look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note the Committee cannot accept as evidence material that has been published elsewhere.