The Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals have recently published their report, 'Transforming Our Justice System'.

The report starts by stating that the English justice system is the envy of the world; that our outstanding independent judiciary is widely admired as an international leader and that our lawyers have a global reputation for excellence.

It further states that in 2015 legal services made a £25.7 billion contribution to the UK economy.

Whilst we have a strong history and tradition of justice, neither the Government or judiciary are complacent and the Government has committed to spending more than £700 million to modernise and update our justice system, so that it works even better for everyone who uses the Court system. Work has already begun to introduce modern IT and new processes and to improve Court facilities. The Rolls Building in London (which is the largest specialist Court centre for dispute resolution anywhere in the world and houses the Commercial Court and the Technology and Construction Court) has a new online system which enables cases to be started and managed electronically. In the criminal courts, digital case files have removed the need for paper files.

The Government and the judiciary have a shared commitment to making modernisation a reality and the overall aim is clear: "a courts and tribunal system that is just, and proportionate and accessible to everyone- a system that will continue to lead and inspire the world".

For any queries please contact Louise McPhie, Ashfords LLP on l.mcphie@ashfords.co.uk