header-logo header-logo

Justice Committee puts county court in the spotlight

22 January 2025
Issue: 8101 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice
printer mail-detail
MPs have relaunched their inquiry into the county court, which is beset with delays and resources scarcity.

Average times taken have risen 14 weeks to 50.6 weeks for small claims, and 20.2 weeks to 79.3 weeks for multi- and fast-track claims, when compared to 2019.

The Justice Committee will consider the impact of delays on litigants and the extent of regional variations, judicial capacity, staffing, the condition of the court estate, fees and costs, the use of technology, the effect of the court reform programme on the court, and the potential for further reform.

Its previous inquiry stalled due to the July 2024 general election. A 2022 report by the preceding Justice Committee urged the government to provide more resources and take action to reduce delay.

Chair of the Justice Committee Andy Slaughter said: ‘Recurrent concerns around delays, resourcing and capacity have persisted for years.’

Written evidence should be submitted by 13 February; see here to respond.

Issue: 8101 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Corporate governance and company law specialist joins the team

Excello Law—Heather Horsewood & Darren Barwick

Excello Law—Heather Horsewood & Darren Barwick

North west team expands with senior private client and property hires

Ward Hadaway—Paul Wigham

Ward Hadaway—Paul Wigham

Firm boosts corporate team in Newcastle to support high-growth technology businesses

NEWS

NOTICE UNDER THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925

HERBERT SMITH STAFF PENSION SCHEME (THE “SCHEME”)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND BENEFICIARIES UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925
Law firm HFW is offering clients lawyers on call for dawn raids, sanctions issues and other regulatory emergencies
From gender-critical speech to notice periods and incapability dismissals, employment law continues to turn on fine distinctions. In his latest employment law brief for NLJ, Ian Smith of Norwich Law School reviews a cluster of recent decisions, led by Bailey v Stonewall, where the Court of Appeal clarified the limits of third-party liability under the Equality Act
Non-molestation orders are meant to be the frontline defence against domestic abuse, yet their enforcement often falls short. Writing in NLJ this week, Jeni Kavanagh, Jessica Mortimer and Oliver Kavanagh analyse why the criminalisation of breach has failed to deliver consistent protection
Assisted dying remains one of the most fraught fault lines in English law, where compassion and criminal liability sit uncomfortably close. Writing in NLJ this week, Julie Gowland and Barny Croft of Birketts examine how acts motivated by care—booking travel, completing paperwork, or offering emotional support—can still fall within the wide reach of the Suicide Act 1961
back-to-top-scroll