On 23 February 2023, the National Audit Office (NAO) published a report on the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Reform Programme. In response to the report, Nick Goodwin, the CEO of HMCTS, expressed gratitude to the NAO and stated that the organisation would carefully consider the recommendations put forward.
The CEO also highlighted the achievements of the Reform Programme, which has seen digital services used over 2.1 million times. Among these achievements are the processing of more than 400,000 Online Civil Money Claims since March 2018, an 80% digital uptake for probate applications, and less than 1% of online divorce applications being returned due to user error.
Despite these successes, the CEO acknowledged that implementing a programme of this scale in a live operational environment is not without its challenges. He cited the pandemic as a factor outside of the organisation’s control, as well as introducing too much change too quickly. However, the CEO assured the public that the organisation would listen to feedback from staff, partners, and users of the system and take action to address any challenges.
The Common Platform was also mentioned as a vital component of the Reform Programme, as it will replace legacy systems that are fragmented and unsustainable. However, the CEO recognised the areas of challenge raised in the NAO report and stated that the organisation would adjust the programme timeline to ease pressure on those implementing the reform.
The CEO stated that HMCTS would formally respond to the report and its recommendations in due course. The organisation remains committed to delivering a successful Reform Programme and will continue to listen to feedback from stakeholders to ensure that any challenges are addressed appropriately.
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
