In the government’s latest spending review, £4.4 billion will be allocated to help the courts recover from the impact of the pandemic. Funds will aim to increase court capacity, create prison places, and support victims.
Yet in his latest report, the Lord Chief Justice (Lord Burnett of Maldon) makes no attempt to hide the many challenges now facing the legal system. In figures only recently published, it is evident that clearing the huge backlog of cases must be prioritised.
Grinding to a halt
When the national lockdown began back in March 2020, the pandemic necessitated the temporary closure of some courts and a pause in jury trials. Despite an attempt to quickly implement virtual hearings as standard core practice, the Lord Chief Justice acknowledges that ‘the availability of technology was inconsistent and regrettably inadequate in many respects.’
As a result, the number of trials vacated in England between April and June 2020 increased by over 160%, and the amount of cases waiting to be heard in County Courts increased by 25%.
Even prior to the onset of the pandemic, difficulties recruiting district judges and salaried judiciary caused significant and ‘acute’ pressures on local civil justice, and work to improve the failings paused during the peak of the pandemic. As most civil work remains paper-based, the ability for the civil justice system to continue remotely during the pandemic was restricted.
Yet the system is working hard to get back to levels seen before the onset of the pandemic.
The Lord Chief Justice remains hopeful about the system’s recovery, stating ‘we have every confidence that in the coming very difficult period – we will remain equal to the many challenges ahead.’
Get help
Many assume that if you are owed money, beginning legal proceedings and taking your debtor to court is the only course of action.
But with delays to the court system now estimated in years (not weeks), creditors need a quicker, easier and more efficient debt collection solution.
If your debtor is refusing to pay, the prospect of a drawn-out, agonising wait for justice may seem overwhelming. It is not only livelihoods at stake; dealing with a debtor can have a detrimental impact on both your mental health and well-being.
The team here at Cobra Financial Solutions will collect your money from your debtor, leaving you free to focus on what really matters. We understand that pursuing debtors can leave you frustrated, angry and exhausted. So stop chasing, and choose the stress-free way to collect your debt. Upon instruction, we can visit your debtor within just 48 hours to ensure you get your money back in your pocket. Where it belongs.
No long wait. No mounds of unnecessary paperwork. No stress.
For a confidential discussion with one of the Cobra team about your case, call us today on 0151 526 4222.
