Online Procedure Rules positive first step for a digital justice system
14 Jan 2026
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News
The Law Society of England and Wales is supportive of the Online Procedure Rule Committee’s (OPRC) first Online Procedure Rules which simplifies online proceedings. The committee is also encouraged to work closely with the legal profession as it seeks to widen the rules into other jurisdictions.
The OPRC is responsible for making rules for online procedure in the civil, family and tribunals jurisdictions. In response to a consultation seeking views on the rules, which will initially apply to possession proceedings, the Law Society:
Supports the OPRC’s focus on access to justice by resolving disputes fairly and efficiently using online proceedings, whilst ensuring accessibility and inclusion are protected
Encourages the committee to take an iterative approach to developing these rules as more proceedings come within scope, to ensure clarity for practitioners and alignment with existing rules across jurisdictions
Wants the OPRC to continue to engage closely with the legal profession as it contemplates bringing online proceedings in other jurisdictions into the scope of these rules
Law Society president, Mark Evans, said: “The draft rules are simple and straightforward and a positive first step for a digital justice system with a focus on inclusion and access to justice.
“However, the simplicity of the rules must not come at the cost of clarity. While simplified rules should help users navigate online proceedings more easily, existing practice in civil, family and tribunal rules may be lost in the process. This may create confusion and uncertainty, particularly for legal professionals who must regularly comply with the rules.
“The OPRC must consider that a general and high-level approach means they may not achieve what they set out to, or leave participants unclear about their obligations. This is a particular concern for those without representation, who are more likely to find proceedings challenging.
“It is therefore critical that the rules specify who is responsible for the obligations they create.
“We urge the OPRC to engage closely with the profession to avoid any additional burden or confusion for legal professionals.”
The Law Society’s full consultation response is available upon request
About the Law Society
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