Civil Courts Structure Review: Welcoming statement

The Lord Chief Justice and Master of the Rolls have responded to the publication of the interim report of the Civil Courts Structure Review, which they jointly commissioned from Lord Justice Briggs in July 2015.

The Lord Chief Justice, The Rt Hon The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, said:

“I am very grateful to Lord Justice Briggs for producing such a comprehensive and thought-provoking report for the first stage of his review. It is a remarkable piece of work, particularly as it was assembled in six months.

“The report is a timely contribution to the debate on the structure of the civil courts at a time of unprecedented change. We are facing considerable challenges but there are also many opportunities, above all with the prospect of digitising court processes.

“The time is ripe for reform, and it is in any event essential and unavoidable. This review will make a considerable contribution to that process and to the future shape of the civil courts.”

The Master of the Rolls, The Rt Hon Lord Dyson, said:

“I echo the Lord Chief Justice’s thanks and praise for this important report. This reflects the many changes in the civil justice landscape and the wider legal, political and economic context.

“I welcome the proposals on an online court, which I have supported for some time as a means of improving access to justice and providing litigants in person with a system designed specifically for them.

“We are now entering an important phase in the review, and all those with a view on these issues and the future shape of the civil courts will have an opportunity to offer their thoughts and suggestions. I urge people to do so, to make their voice heard in the reform process”.