Who we are

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide administrative support for the legal system across England and Wales, ensuring justice works for everyone.

Our justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society and it must serve all those who call on it, when they call on it. From some of the most vulnerable people in our society, to families in crisis, claimants and commercial businesses – we have a responsibility to administer a justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.

This reform means more and better ways to access justice for all those who need it, quicker and simpler processes for professional and public court users alike and a workforce that is as effective as it can possibly be. It means giving judges more time to do their job by cutting down on unnecessary paperwork and reserving court time for the most complex cases. It means making justice easier.

Our staff help provide access to justice for every person and business in the UK, including:

• victims and witnesses of crime
• defendants accused of crimes
• consumers in debt or with other disputes
• people involved in the adoption or protection of children
• businesses involved in commercial disputes
• individuals asserting their employment rights or challenging the decisions of government bodies
• people affected by relationship breakdown.

We’re responsible for:

• providing the supporting administration for a fair, efficient and accessible courts and tribunal system
• supporting an independent judiciary in the administration of justice
• driving improvements across all aspects of the administration of the courts and tribunals
• collaborating effectively with other justice organisations and agencies, including the legal professions, to improve access to justice
• working with government departments and agencies to improve the quality and timeliness of their decision-making, which will reduce the number of cases coming before courts and tribunals.

Modernising now to build a solid foundation for the future

We have been modernising our services since 2016, providing new, user-friendly digital services and improving efficiency at the same time. The original vision for reform – to modernise and upgrade our justice system so that it works even better for everyone – remains true. But we must recognise that the world has changed since 2016 – and rapidly so – as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020.

It is no longer visionary to have digital services and to use audio-visual technology at some point in the future; it is a necessity, here and now. It’s required if we want to keep pace with the modern world because it will not be possible to make future improvements if they are not underpinned by robust and resilient systems fit for today’s 21st century demands.