Modernising the courts means more accessible justice for all (part 1)
Guest blog: Al Murray, Managing Director and Client Partner, Justice, Central Government and Transport, Capita as part of our #DigitalJustice2021 week
In the first of two articles, Al Murray, Managing Director and Client Partner for Justice, Central Government and Transport at Capita, reflects that although the English justice system has come a long way over the past year in its adoption of technology, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
In January 2021, I was privileged to be a speaker and panellist at a very insightful seminar organised by the Westminster Legal Policy Forum, discussing the future of court modernisation.
In March 2020, within days of the nation going into lockdown, the Court of Protection in England conducted the UK’s first “trial by Skype”.
Along with the rest of the country, the UK courts have faced a slew of unprecedented demands and extreme restrictions. For a justice system that’s traditionally conducted within a designated courtroom, and in person, following stark regulations such as ‘stay at home’ and social distancing recommendations was fraught with difficulty.
Courts stepped up to the challenge, investing in remote and digital technologies that would enable proceedings to be conducted safely and within the law. According to data issued by Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), by 24th April 2020, 90% of court and tribunal hearings involved audio and video technology.
Not quite a year later, and after several varieties of lockdown, audio visual and remote communications technologies have been assimilated into courtrooms’ fabric and practice.
We’re very aware of the ease with which the courts adapted to technology masks the hard work and sleepless nights that were endured by dedicated professionals committed to doing everything necessary to ensure that legal proceedings took place, and that justice continued to be dispensed.
The speed at which the technology-enabled, often virtual courtroom has become a mainstay of the solidly traditional justice system is remarkable, particularly when compared to the situation highlighted in a House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts report published in November 2019. In the report, the committee called out HMCTS for “again” falling behind on critical reforms needed to “change the way people access justice” by using digital technology to modernise the system.
At the time, HMCTS was three years into a £1.2bn programme, which had already been extended from three years to seven. According to the Committee of Public Accounts, HMCTS was “struggling to deliver all it promised” and risked “undermining trust in the reforms and, ultimately, “the fairness of the justice system”.
And while technology is now a mainstay, few, if any, courts are any further along a strategic digital transformation process than they were in November 2019. As Dr Kameel Khan, Law Professor and Sitting Judge at the UK Ministry of Justice, pointed out to me during a discussion in June 2020, the UK courts system is “in the midst of the largest unscheduled pilot scheme in justice”.
Robert Shooter, Head of Technology at law firm Fieldfisher, is hopeful about the change necessary for lawyers to use technology, saying that “our clients are squeezing margins, demanding faster turnround times and greater use of innovation. If law firms don’t change culturally, our clients will go elsewhere”.
As impressive as the response was to the burning platform of Covid-19, we must ask: was this just a sticking plaster for the more systemic challenges that still require addressing if the justice system is to become more digitally enabled?
While the speed with which courts have adapted to technology is unlikely to be discussed on the inevitable Channel 5 countdown of the weirdest events of 2020, it’s high on my list of ‘never saw it coming’ moments. And I’m not alone in this. Professor Richard Susskind, technology adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, commented: “I used to think that High Court cultural barriers meant it would take a decade for courts to embrace technology fully. Then the virus came, courts closed, and it took only a fortnight.”
It’s on this last point that I find myself disagreeing. Courts are undoubtedly using more technology than ever before, but it’s still limited to specific tasks. There’s no evidence that they have “fully” embraced it.
The big questions still remain, principally how can we progress digital transformation to ensure access to all and protection for the vulnerable, that we have the data we need to make good decisions, and that we use Artificial Intelligence fairly? Do we have the right security and skills in place to support a fully digital courts system?
In part two of this blog post, I’ll talk you through the key factors that need to be addressed in planning a digital justice system that serves all citizens and is truly transformed.
Head of Justice and Emergency Services | Fraud and Economic Crime Lead, techUK
Georgie Morgan
Head of Justice and Emergency Services | Fraud and Economic Crime Lead, techUK
Georgie joined techUK as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager in March 2020, progressing to Head of Programme in January 2022. Her portfolio then expanded in January 2024 where she now leads our work across fraud and economic crime.
In her current role, Georgie leads techUK’s engagement and initiatives across the blue light and criminal justice sectors. She works closely with industry and stakeholders to drive innovation, address challenges, and anticipate future needs, while showcasing the critical role technology plays in delivering essential public safety and justice services. Through the JES programme, she provides a platform for suppliers, helping them navigate and establish themselves in the blue light and criminal justice markets.
Before joining techUK, Georgie spent four and a half years managing a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) in Westminster. Collaborating with the Metropolitan Police and local councils, she focused on mitigating the impact of crime on the business community. Her efforts spanned addressing low-level street crime and anti-social behavior to managing critical incidents and violent crime.
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
Junior Programme Manager - Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Ella Gago-Brookes
Junior Programme Manager - Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes, before progressing into Junior Programme Manager in January 2024.
Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.
In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.