Court reform

HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is investing £1 billion in a seven-year reform programme to modernise the courts and tribunals system. We agree that a modernised court service would benefit all users, but this must not come at the expense of justice. We’re engaging with HMCTS to ensure members’ and clients’ needs are considered, and we’re helping members to understand and adapt to the changes
Signs pointing to Magistrates' Court, Crown and County Courts in front of Croydon Law Courts buildings on sunny winter day (Croydon, England - March 25, 2012)

Court reform: what's changing

March 2025 marked the end of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) reform programme, which digitised multiple services.

Find out how we advocated for our members and made sure your needs and concerns were addressed.

Find out more
Signs pointing to Magistrates' Court, Crown and County Courts in front of Croydon Law Courts buildings on sunny winter day (Croydon, England - March 25, 2012)

Resources

News and articles

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A court user waits for an online hearing to start; a white man wearing a headset looks at a computer monitor on his desk, the screen shows a video call holding screen with the HM Courts and Tribunals Service logo in white on a black background

Preparing for the new video hearings service

Remote hearings will change in 2024. Claire Jukes from HM Courts and Tribunals Services explains what steps you can take now to…

16 Sep 2024

Westminster update: legal services at heart of Industrial Strategy

Your weekly update from the Law Society’s public affairs team on all the latest developments and debates in parliament and across Whitehall. This week: Industrial Strategy centres legal services, Trade Strategy, parliament at 21st Century Justice, “vital” legal aid debated, concerns raised in Mental Health Bill.

01 Jul 2025

Court waiting times undermine justice

New figures show a record Crown Court backlog of more than 76,957 cases.

26 Jun 2025

Westminster update: lord chancellor on vital ECHR reform

Your weekly update on all the latest developments and debates in Parliament and across Whitehall. This week: lord chancellor on ECHR reform, legal aid in the Children's Wellbeing Bill, court investment debates for the Mental Health Bill.

25 Jun 2025

Westminster update: Legal Aid Agency cyber-attack

Your weekly update from the Law Society’s public affairs team on all the latest developments and debates in Parliament and across Whitehall. This week; Legal Aid Agency cyber attack, sentencing review published, UK-EU summit, Mental Health Bill.

30 May 2025

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