Matthew Maxwell Scott, executive director of ACSO (The Association of Consumer Support Organisations), which represents consumers in the civil justice system, said:
“The committee rightly describes civil justice as a ‘Cinderella service', but unless the government acts with urgency, there will be no fairytale ending for our civil courts. It is clear from the report that civil justice is not breaking, it is already broken.
“Users have told the committee of record delays, low staff morale, bodged IT projects, crumbling buildings and bewildered litigants in person, adding up to insurmountable barriers to access to justice. Something which was once a source of national pride is now one of embarrassment.
"Rarely has a committee report been more scathing in its assessment of failures by successive administrations. The new government must show by the end of this parliament that it can turn things around.
"The committee deserves thanks for picking up where its predecessor left off and its recommendations pursued with vigour. Politicians lured by the siren call of prisons and criminal policy should remember that it is the civil system which affects more peoples' lives. The pursuit of the growth agenda can only be helped by making sure that those who need the civil courts can make use of them and resolve their disputes.
"When ACSO asked the Justice Select Committee to begin this work, we couldn't have hoped for a more thorough and robust report and we are grateful to all of those involved.
“Now ministers and senior judiciary need to pick up the baton and heed the committee's chilling warning that the County Court 'is not tenable to continue without fundamental reform.' For civil justice, it is no longer five to midnight. The clock has already struck."
Details on the inquiry, including the full report, can be found at https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7972/work-of-the-county-court/