Law Society supports urgent fixes to failing county court system
updated on 23 July 2025
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The Law Society of England and Wales has expressed its support for the House of Commons Justice Committee’s call for urgent reform, following its recent report, which stated that the county court needs “urgent attention”.
Law Society President Richard Atkinson said: “Every one of us should have access to swift and fair justice. County courts provide a vital public service for communities and businesses of all sizes. But right now, the wheels of justice are turning too slowly, causing backlogs that have a devastating impact on the people caught in them.”
The report highlighted several criticisms of the court and emphasised the need for core reform. Findings showed that delays within the courts were disappointingly rampant. One concern was the continued dependence on physical files, which were moved between locations, leading to expensive delays. Court infrastructure was also flagged as a problem, as many buildings had been left in a bad condition, with reports of rat infestations and asbestos.
Atkinson commented: “Court buildings need repairs, systems and technology must be fit for purpose and civil legal aid needs urgent investment across all areas. Robust data collection should track and drive systemic improvements.”
The committee warned that deteriorating facilities, alongside the limited accessibility in several courts, were harming staff morale and public trust. The committee has called on the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunals Service “to publish a detailed breakdown of how its £220 million capital budget for 2023–2025 has been allocated”.
Key technology issues were identified in the report and based on this, the committee has argued for the digital reform of the courts. This included the integration of legacy platforms, a unified case management system and data collection to improve efficiency.
The report also noted staffing and recruitment challenges, warning that “the civil judiciary is no longer an attractive profession” and therefore not attracting top-tier recruits.
