Covid, claims and the courts
The Ministry of Justice has recently released its civil justice statistics for the period October to December 2020. These statistics show an overall significant downward trend in claim activity compared to pre-Covid times.
The Ministry of Justice has recently released its civil justice statistics for the period October to December 2020. These statistics show an overall significant downward trend in claim activity compared to pre-Covid times.
The number of County Court claims for money is down by 12% (net across specified and unspecified money claims) when compared to the same period in 2019. The number of claims defended is down 5% and the number of claims going to trial is down by 23%. The number of judgments is down by 32% and enforcement applications down by 40%.
However the mean time taken from the issue of the claim to hearing has risen for multi-track cases (claims valued above £25,000) to 73.9 weeks, some 13 weeks longer than in 2019.
A number of Courts have built up significant backlogs during the pandemic and case management progress appears to have slowed. From these statistics, it appears that the desire to litigate has fallen generally. As the country and the economy starts to re-open and recover and the Courts catch up on their backlogs, we anticipate the number of claims issued will rise and may well even exceed the pre-Covid figures. Watch this space.
If you have held back on commencing a dispute during Covid, do get in touch to see how we can help.
Contact
Mark Hickson
Head of Business Development
onlineteaminbox@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)370 270 6000
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson appoints Bernhard Maier as Head of Arbitration
Legal Update
Case analysis: Enforceability of MOUs in commercial transactions
Legal Update
Sweetened dispute: The VAT battle over Mega Marshmallows
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson expands international disputes offering with new Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution in London
Legal Update
Rukhadze and others v Recovery Partners GP Ltd: Fiduciary duties and the duty to account for profits
Legal Update
Recent developments: Awards of non-material damages under the GDPR
Opinion
Awaab’s Law to take effect from October 2025
Opinion
Respect Orders: Will they actually make a difference?
Legal Update
“Lost Years” compensation principle reaches the supreme court
Press Release
Browne Jacobson appointed to Serco Group plc legal services panel
Legal Update
Dry January 2025: Legal considerations for manufacturers, hospitality and retailers
Legal Update
Insolvencies and claims under Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010
Opinion
Can an employee complain too much?
Training
Mock inquest training course
Published Article
Johnson et al v FirstRand Bank: Judgment sends warning across financial services intermediation
Legal Update
Manchester Ship Canal Co Ltd v United Utilities Water Ltd: Opening the floodgates to mass litigation?
Legal Update
Know your dispute resolution clauses: Key take-aways from Kajima v Children’s Ark and Lancashire Schools v Lendlease
Opinion
Law Commission initial consultation published on reforming Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Legal Update
EasyGroup proceedings defeated by jurisdictional challenge
Legal Update
New amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules and their impact
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Modification of contracts existing before the go-live date of the Procurement Act 2023
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Decisions of the Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel
Opinion
Publication of The Renters’ Rights Bill: Major changes to the private rented sector are on their way
Legal Update
Motor finance complaints on hold: Why now is the time for strategic action
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Contract management and performance
Legal Update
Extended s20 voluntary care isn’t always a breach of human rights
Legal Update
Alternative dispute resolution: The future of ADR in the UK legal system
Opinion
Settling future claims: Insights from Clifford v IBM 2024
Opinion - Maternity services
New online system streamlines maternity services at The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Legal Update - Building Safety Act
Case update: Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities v Grey GR Limited Partnership
Legal Update
Commercial contracts: Top tips before signing on the dotted line
On-Demand - Shared Insights
Duty of Candour review: Submission to the Department of Health and Social Care
Published Article
English Commercial Court rules against Russian exclusive jurisdiction clauses
Legal Update
Changes to the fixed recoverable costs regime
Opinion
R (Willmott) v Eastbourne Council: High Court rules council can deny social housing to disabled ex-tenant over anti-social behaviour
Press Release
Browne Jacobson Ireland LLP rank across Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property and Technology in the Legal 500 EMEA 2024
Legal Update
Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil Council: A game changing decision for local authorities
Legal Update
Restrictive covenants – look before you leap!
Legal Update
Court of Appeal decision again demonstrates the need for reform of the Solicitors Minimum Terms
