The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, has delivered comprehensive evidence to the House of Lords Constitution Select Committee, outlining the current trajectory of the United Kingdom’s judicial system. The session focused heavily on technological integration, systemic backlogs, and structural modernization across the courts.
During her annual evidence session, Baroness Carr presented a bifurcated view of the justice system’s operational health. She documented significant and measurable improvements within the family and civil courts, noting that strategic reforms and targeted resource allocation have successfully reduced delays in these jurisdictions.
However, the Lady Chief Justice identified persistent and severe capacity constraints within the criminal courts and tribunal systems. She described these sectors as facing acute pressures, where rising case demands continuously outpace the available judicial and administrative resources. Despite high sitting levels and improved disposal rates, the sheer volume of incoming cases prevents a meaningful reduction in the overall criminal backlog.
To address these systemic delays, the committee extensively evaluated the prospective implementation of artificial intelligence systems. Baroness Carr revealed that the judiciary is actively exploring AI-driven solutions to manage administrative burdens and optimize case listing procedures. She noted that AI tooling could prove highly effective in predicting trial lengths and identifying high-priority cases, thereby maximizing court flexibility and freeing judges from extensive administrative tasks.
Furthermore, Baroness Carr highlighted that artificial intelligence is already providing tangible benefits to individuals navigating the legal system without representation. She informed the committee that judges have found AI-assisted submissions from litigants in person to be more coherent and easier to digest than traditional unrepresented filings, thereby improving overall access to justice.
Beyond technological advancements, the session reviewed significant structural developments within the judiciary, most notably the creation of the newly established Business and Property Division. This judicial-led initiative consolidates expertise to streamline commercial and property disputes, ensuring that the United Kingdom remains a premier international destination for business litigation.
The Lady Chief Justice concluded her evidence by emphasizing the necessity of stability, cross-system collaboration, and continued investment to ensure the judicial system can meet modern demands while maintaining its constitutional independence.
