Government Commits £50 Million to Court Digitalisation

The UK government has confirmed plans to invest over £50 million in digitising the county court system to tackle the significant backlog of cases. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy emphasised that this funding aims to modernise the courts, making them more accessible and efficient for everyday civil disputes, including those between landlords and tenants.

This announcement follows a report by Sir Brian Leveson, highlighting a crisis in the justice system, and comes amid data revealing landlords are currently facing the longest court waiting times in two decades. The Ministry of Justice reported that last year, courts took an average of over eight months to process and enforce landlord claims.

Improving Access to Justice for Landlords and Tenants

David Lammy outlined the government’s commitment to structural reform, stating the investment will reduce complexity and costs in the court process. He explained that over a million claims have already been issued through existing digital services for money and damages claims, with cases progressing three times faster in their early stages compared to traditional methods.

He added: “This investment is not just about big business. The investment is designed to improve access to justice by cutting complexity and cost, and making it easier to resolve common everyday civil problems, such as when a business is failing to pay a supplier for goods provided or a dispute between a landlord and tenant over the condition of a property.”

The government is also collaborating with the Online Procedure Rule Committee to develop simple, accessible, and fair rules for online proceedings that suit the digital age.

Concerns Over Clarity and Court Readiness

Despite the government’s positive outlook, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding how courts will be prepared for the digital possession process. Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, highlighted that while the Housing Minister has stressed the importance of court readiness for the Renters’ Rights Act, the government has yet to define what “court readiness” entails.

Beadle stated: “Without that clarity, it is unclear what the planned digitisation of possession cases is intended to deliver or how success will be measured.” He also noted that although the Master of the Rolls indicated the first iteration of the new digital platform for possession cases is expected in late Spring 2026, details on how it will function for tenants and landlords remain vague.

What This Means for Landlords

For landlords, the proposed digitalisation could mean faster resolution of possession claims and other disputes, potentially reducing the current average wait times of over eight months. However, the uncertainty around the digital possession process means landlords should stay informed about forthcoming government updates to understand how the new system will impact their legal proceedings.

Landlords and letting agents should prepare for a transition to digital court services and consider how this may affect case management and communication with tenants. The government’s focus on simplifying procedures could reduce administrative burdens, but clarity on operational details remains essential.

Looking Ahead

The planned digital transformation of the courts represents a significant shift in how civil justice, including landlord-tenant disputes, will be handled in the UK. While the investment signals a commitment to modernising the system, stakeholders await further details on implementation and court readiness to ensure the reforms deliver tangible benefits.

Suggested internal link anchors
– court digitalisation
– county courts backlog
– landlord possession claims
– Renters’ Rights Act
– National Residential Landlords Association
– Ministry of Justice court delays
– digital court services
– landlord-tenant disputes
– court readiness
– Online Procedure Rule Committee
– possession case processing
– civil justice reform

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/