Work of the County Court

Justice Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 21 Jan 2025 Closed: 22 Apr 2026 Parliament page
This inquiry examines the Work of the County Court amid long-standing concerns over court capacity and resources. It comes as data on the work of the County Court shows the time taken from claim to hearing continues to rise. Read the Call for evidence to find out more about this inquiry .
13 Recommendations
30 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
9 Dec
2025
Correspondence
17 Oct
2025
Report published
21 Jul
2025
Report published
10 Jun
2025
Correspondence
21 May
2025
Correspondence
8 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
8 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
18 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
18 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
7 May
2024
Oral evidence
7 May
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
8 Apr 2025
View on parliament.uk
Daniel Flury · HM Courts and Tribunals Service Jason Latham · HM Courts and Tribunals Service Sarah Sackman MP · Ministry of Justice Steven Jarman · Ministry of Justice
18 Mar 2025
View on parliament.uk
Lord Justice Colin Birss · Judiciary of England and Wales Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Vos · Judiciary of England and Wales
7 May 2024
View on parliament.uk
Dr Natalie Byrom · Faculty of Laws, UCL Elizabeth Gallagher · Temple Garden Chambers Emily Giles · The Hyde Group Matthew Maxwell Scott · The Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO)
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Work of the County Court HC 677 21 Jul 2025 43 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
4 Conclusion Rejected
4th Report - Work of the County Co…
Collect and publish individual court performance data to address County Court delays and disparities.
HMCTS must collect and publish data on individual court and tribunal performances to allow for the identification of regional disparities, and support investment planning in reducing County Court delays. The data must include the timeliness of pre-trial stages, rates of … Read more
Government Response
The government states that listing is a judicial function requiring over-listing, and that the better strategic solution is improved, data-informed listing, without committing to collecting or publishing the specific granular court and tribunal performance data requested.
Ministry of Justice
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41 Conclusion Rejected
4th Report - Work of the County Co…
County Court functions as a 'Cinderella service' facing systemic delays and reform failures
The County Court is the ‘Cinderella service’ of the justice system in England and Wales. It is beset by delays as a result of a failed attempt at digital reform, recruitment and retention issues, and a complex and dysfunctional “patchwork” … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation for a root and branch review, preferring to focus on practical steps to improve the County Court's operation, highlighting improvements already seen in timeliness, call waiting times, mediation, and case management.
Ministry of Justice
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43 Recommendation Rejected
4th Report - Work of the County Co…
Launch urgent, comprehensive, root-and-branch review of the County Court by Spring 2026
We recommend an urgent and comprehensive, root-and-branch review of the County Court. This review must be launched by Spring 2026 and encompass recruitment and retention challenges within both the Judiciary and HMCTS, establish a realistic and sustainable plan for future … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation for a root-and-branch review, stating they prefer to focus on tangible and practical steps already underway to improve County Court operations, such as improved timeliness of claims, call waiting times, and case management systems.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 43 of 13 classified
Accepted 17
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 13
Rejected 3
Total 13 recs + 30 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
9 Dec 2025 Correspondence from Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, dated 8 December 2025: HMCTS Capital Estate Investment Spending (April 2023 - March 2025)
Parliament page
10 Jun 2025 Correspondence from Daniel Flury, HMCTS Operations Director, dated 29 May 2025 relating to the oral evidence session held on 8 April 2025
Parliament page
21 May 2025 Correspondence from Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, dated 15 May 2025 relating to the oral evidence session held on 8 April 2025
Parliament page