16
Deferred
Include in-depth assessment of County Court recruitment and retention crisis in future review.
Conclusion
A future review must include an in-depth assessment of the recruitment and retention crisis of the County Court, extending the existing discussions regarding HMCTS pay scales to include assessments of current and required workload capacities ensuring any additional resource is effectively allocated where it is needed most. This assessment needs to learn from areas of good practice such as Wales, and Manchester, and understand why these areas are more successful in retaining staff. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75) Access to justice
Government Response Summary
The government outlined HMCTS's approach to designing digital services, which includes user research and co-design in line with the Government Service Standard, but did not address the recommendation for an assessment of the County Court's recruitment and retention crisis.
Government Response
Deferred
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
HMCTS’s approach to designing digital services involves extensive user research and co-designing with users (judiciary, court staff, legal representatives and Litigants in Person). We have continued to adjust and improve our piloting and testing approach, having learnt lessons from the Reform programme. We can confirm that this will continue to be our approach for any future digital reforms in the County Court in line with the Government Service Standard (Service Standard – Service Manual – GOV.UK).
Source
Committee
Justice Committee
Inquiry
Work of the County Court
Report
4th Report - Work of the County Court
21 Jul 2025
HC 677
Addressee Bodies
Ministry of Justice
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.9 yr
Report published
21 Jul 2025