HMCTS to prioritise reforms to family public law service as it adjusts schedule of system-wide changes

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has committed to prioritising work to improve and embed its family public law service after acknowledging that "trying to change too much, too quickly has undermined confidence at times" during the implementation of the "ambitious" reform programme it launched in 2016.

This work on the public law service will come ahead of the introduction of the new private law functionality.

HMCTS will also add more "preparation time" into its 2016 reform programme, which involves modernising and redesigning services, such as civil money claims, divorce, and probate applications.

The reforms also aim to improve the management of cases by taking out of court those that do not need to be there.

However, HMCTS reported that the pandemic hindered efforts to implement the changes.

News of the recent change of tack came in a written update from HMCTS's Chief Executive, Nick Goodwin, who said: "We know that trying to change too much, too quickly has undermined confidence at times. But I want to assure you that we're continuing to learn from our experiences and feedback, and I'm confident we can do better."

Goodwin added: "So we've taken stock and looked realistically at what we can achieve and by when. As a result we've adjusted certain elements of the reform programme. Our revised schedule minimises overlap and allows more preparation time.

"We have the full support of the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals in making these adjustments."

HMCTS plans to take more time in early adopter courts to ensure processes are right for all users, including its partner agencies.

"In civil, we are making really good progress in extending functionality to our newly reformed systems," Goodwin said.

"We'll take a measured approach, delivering the remaining services in online civil money claims, civil enforcement, bulk claims and damages over the next year."

He said the HMCTS is set to complete the reform of employment, immigration and social security and child support tribunals.

Additionally, it will integrate a new scheduling and listing tool with each of the reformed civil, family and tribunal case management systems and continue to develop the Video Hearing Service.

All remaining civil, family and tribunal services are scheduled to be implemented by March 2024.

Adam Carey