Sadie Whittam discusses civil litigation in the age of pandemic & beyond
- The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a disruptor, forcing the courts in England and Wales to test the effectiveness of remote justice.
- The move to wholly remote hearings is a challenge, but also an exciting opportunity.
- If successful, remote justice may be the solution to improving access to justice in the post-pandemic world.
Pre COVID-19, HM Courts and Tribunals Service had started a £1bn reform of the court system. The reform programme, due to complete in December 2023, aimed to modernise the justice system, implementing technology and new ways of working, with the laudable aim of making the courts more efficient and more accessible to the public.
Fast forward to May 2020. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a disruptor in every sector, and the courts and tribunals system has been no exception. As courts close across the globe, governments and the legal sector have been forced to adapt, trialling new and creative solutions to ensure that the justice system is not
