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I often think back to the West London County Court in North End Road, London when thinking of a well run, efficient Court. It had a cosy front office where people could ask questions of Court staff about papers they had received. Solicitors could drop off bundles, witness statements and other documents. The Court itself had 2 District Judges and a Circuit Judge (sometime 2), and all the legal business of West London was dealt with there. The Court itself was a rather unassuming building , looking perhaps a bit like a Library from the outside and all the better for that. Inside all the Court rooms worked well and there was a large circulation space outside for solicitors and Counsel to thrash out agreements if possible. The Court was a huge success. Then, of course , it got shut down. I believe it has now been turned into luxury flats. Is that progress?
If the MOJ are really saying that digitizing the Courts is going to make matters more efficient I for one would challenge that. New systems are not always better. Now I have to make the long journey to the Central London County Court .Not cheap if you are on benefits. I can`t just drop off papers but need to make an appointment. Members of the public are not allowed to talk to Court staff to seek guidance. OK I get it that in 10 years time there will be no Courts and it will all be sorted out on a Computer. But will that really save money? Will the Public vote for this kind of Justice.?