What Delays in the Civil Justice System Mean for Creditors
In July 2025, the Justice Committee published a critical report exposing the deteriorating state of the civil justice system in England and Wales. While delays and inefficiencies have long been a source of frustration, the report confirms what many creditors already know — the County Court system is struggling to cope, and the consequences for claimants are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Described by the Committee as “dysfunctional,” the current state of civil justice is no longer fit for purpose. For creditors relying on timely judgments to protect cash flow, the situation raises real concerns, not just about delays, but about the long-term viability of using the County Court system for debt recovery.
Delays That Undermine Recovery
Let’s take a look at the figures which really do speak for themselves. A small claim now takes over 50 weeks on average from issue to trial — up significantly from around 32 weeks a decade ago. Larger claims fare even worse, with fast-track and multi-track cases now averaging more than 79 weeks to reach court.
Whilst the pandemic certainly added pressure, the Justice Committee was clear: the decline started long before COVID-19. What we’re seeing today is not a temporary backlog, but a system weighed down by structural issues.
Understaffing is a major factor. Nearly 70 District Judge positions remain unfilled in London and the South East alone. Many hearings are conducted by part-time deputies, whilst high turnover and low morale amongst court staff continue to erode the system’s ability to function effectively.
Digital Reform Falling Short
Efforts to modernise the court process have delivered mixed results. The HMCTS Reform Programme promised streamlined, paperless systems, but in practice, many processes remain fragmented and outdated.
Poor integration between centralised services like the Civil National Business Centre and local County Courts has resulted in inconsistent service, with creditors often left chasing updates and dealing with unclear communication routes.
Instead of improving transparency, digitisation has, in some cases, added new layers of complexity — making an already inefficient system even harder to navigate.
The Commercial Impact for Creditors
For creditors, particularly those operating in trade, utilities, legal services or property sectors, the consequences are clear. Long delays between issuing proceedings and obtaining judgment and enforcement increase the risk of non-recovery. Debtors may relocate, become harder to trace or liquidate assets — all whilst the case remains tied up in a system that lacks urgency!
This creates a growing need for creditors to rethink their enforcement strategy, especially where prompt action is required to protect commercial interests, as a year-long delay can easily turn a recoverable debt into a financial loss.
Jackson CRS: Supporting You Through Change
The Justice Committee’s report should serve as a wake-up call to creditors relying solely on traditional court routes. Here at Jackson CRS, we understand the challenges caused by court delays — and we help our clients adapt accordingly.
Whether through pre-legal collections, alternative dispute resolution, or strategic guidance on enforcement options, we provide a reliable, compliant path forward in uncertain times.
If your organisation is facing delays or struggling to recover outstanding debts, please speak to our team today. We’re here to help you navigate the current system and safeguard your financial position.