The second in a series of blog posts from Susan Acland-Hood. The first one set out why reform is needed and why we need to do more to engage and talk more widely about what we’re doing. In this blog post Susan talks a bit more about the approach we are taking to reform, and why we are well set up to succeed and explains about what impact changes have already made.
A blog from Susan Acland-Hood on our plans to re-tender for an independent organisation to lead the evaluation work for the flexible operating hours pilot. At the same time, we’ll make more information available and spend more time with legal professionals in each jurisdiction, including those outside the pilot areas, to refine our plans. This will mean the pilots will now begin in February next year.
Susan Acland-Hood reflects on what she has learnt since she started as CEO of HMCTS last November. Susan explains her plans to write a set of blog posts that outline what we need to do, what we’ve done so far, what our plans are, and how to get involved in shaping HMCTS’s reforms for the future. This blog post focuses on her first-hand observations of our courts and tribunals system, its strength and value, but also the deep challenges it faces and the reasons why she believes only radical reform can make it flourish for the future.
A blog post from Liz Olney, Deputy Director for Customer Change and Innovation at HMCTS. Liz shares our recent work to transform our victim and witness rooms. We see over 156,000 individuals coming to court to give evidence each year and rely on evidence provided by victims and witnesses to support the carriage of justice. It’s important we provide the best environment so that individuals can present their cases well.
A blog post from Fiona Rutherford, which discusses the implementation of remote working, specifically virtual hearings. Fiona talks about the opportunities (and responsibility) presented by the ‘once in a generation’ £1 billion investment in our courts and tribunals. This work will re-shape how we enable access to the justice system and how we deliver our reformed public services in the future.
A blog from Susan Acland-Hood, the Chief Executive of HM Courts and Tribunals Service about looking at options to use court and tribunal buildings in a more flexible way, letting people have their cases heard outside the current traditional 10am to 4:30pm court day.
A blog post from Clare Galloway, Service Manager for the Civil Money Claims project. Claire provides an update on how we are developing a new digital service for lower value money claims which will provide a simple process for individuals and businesses to resolve disputes. This service will use a mix of technology, conciliation and judicial resolution allowing users to resolve money claim disputes in a simple, accessible and proportionate way.
A blog post from Fiona Rutherford that explains the role of her HMCTS Business Strategy and Design Team and how they are responsible for helping to shape how our justice system will look and operate in the future.
A blog post from Andrew Hyland who led the HMCTS Help with Fees project. The Help with Fees (also known as fee remission) service ensures the courts and tribunals are available and accessible to those who need them – regardless of their personal circumstances. If you apply for fee remission and are on certain benefits or on a low income you may not have to pay a court or tribunal fee, or you may get some money off.
A blog post from Alison Blunsden, Diary Manager to His Honour Judge Graham Wood QC at Liverpool Civil and Family Court. Alison shares her experiences on how she introduced an online forum for external stakeholders, judiciary, court staff and court users.
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