Online justice services gain further traction

Online justice services have been used by more than 150,000 people in the past 12 months, according to figures released by the Government.

A number of new digital services were launched in 2018 as part of a £1bn Reform programme to modernise the justice system.

New services delivered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) in 2018 include:

• Divorce Online– more than 23,000 applications have been made since it was launched in April 2018
• Civil Money Claims Online– more than 39,000 money claims have been made since its launch in March 2018, with the fastest claim being lodged and paid in under two hours
• Probate Online– more than 7,500 applications have been made since July 2018
• Submit Your Appeal Online– 3,300 online PIP appeals have been submitted since its launch in July 2018
• Online pleas– more than 1,400 online pleas have been made within the Single Justice Procedure for Transport for London fare evasion cases since its launch in April 2018

In addition, during 2018 more than 81,000 online pleas have been made for low-level motoring offences via the Make a Plea service first introduced in 2014.

Public feedback about the digital shift is positive with 85% of people reporting they are happy with the new divorce service, 93% for probate and 89% for civil money claims.

HMCTS says the new system for applying for divorce online has cut errors in application forms from 40% to less than 1%. The time taken to complete a divorce application has also reduced by more than half an hour on average.

Further digital services are expected soon. The Reform programme has also already delivered a pilot of fully video hearings in tax tribunals to test the potential for roll-out where appropriate across the courts and tribunals system, and a pilot of a new digital system providing shared case information in criminal cases to the police, CPS, courts service and legal professionals.

Justice Minister, Lucy Frazer said: “These online services are already making a difference to people who use the justice system. As we reach this milestone it’s encouraging to see people are reporting these services work well for them and are a better-fit around their busy lives.”