Read on Twitter
1/ Wee thread - I was in a meeting yesterday with Presidents of the ETs and others from HMCTS, BEIS etc.
They were able to provide a insight into the backlog in the Employment Tribunal for #ukemplaw.
The only regions which had to list for 2022 are South East/South London
They were able to provide a insight into the backlog in the Employment Tribunal for #ukemplaw.
The only regions which had to list for 2022 are South East/South London
2/ This is due to a chronic lack of resources. Thankfully, this has been recognised by the President of E&W and there is a large tranche of newly minted Judges who will be allocated to these problem regions.
Owing to restrictions on training etc. they will come in from 2021.
Owing to restrictions on training etc. they will come in from 2021.
3/ The Judges and staff who are in these regions have been working incredibly hard, sitting far longer than normal, taking extraordinary steps to make sure that cases were progressing.
And in London Central, Judges were going in to allocate claims and clerking duties!
And in London Central, Judges were going in to allocate claims and clerking duties!
4/ There's been unprecedented case numbers piling in, we think we're now at an even higher backlog than the credit crunch in '08, and it's reasonable to assume this will increase with collective redundancy possibly looming.
5/ Some regions have more resources so are running faster, for example, South West (Southampton etc) have have multiple day CVP hearings.
This region will be rolling out CVP 2.0 - and face to face hearings are now back in play in some regions.
This region will be rolling out CVP 2.0 - and face to face hearings are now back in play in some regions.
6/ HMCTS have also gone out of their way to open up access to the ETs in terms of virtual space for more CVP Hearings and these will be used much more in the coming months.
7/ England & Wales will be producing presidential guidance on electronic bundles and remote hearings shortly, following Scotland's lead. This guidance from Scotland was highly commended and will largely be mirrored.
Scottish Guidance here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/11-June-20-SPT-ETS-PD-Fixing-and-Conduct-of-Remote-Hearings.pdf
Scottish Guidance here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/11-June-20-SPT-ETS-PD-Fixing-and-Conduct-of-Remote-Hearings.pdf
8/ I should also add that we have stumbled onto an unexpected bonus during this period.
Remote mediation has been a huge success and Judges are using this tool sensibly.
The President reminded us of the excellent ADR Guidance published - I'd recommend you re-read this...
Remote mediation has been a huge success and Judges are using this tool sensibly.
The President reminded us of the excellent ADR Guidance published - I'd recommend you re-read this...
Can find it here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/presidential-guidance-rule-3-adr-20180122.pdf
Personally, I agree, I've found the three-hour blocks to be very useful.
I'd like to see Judges make more use of Judicial Assessment though, for me, it is a very nifty tool that is not utilised as it should be.
Personally, I agree, I've found the three-hour blocks to be very useful.
I'd like to see Judges make more use of Judicial Assessment though, for me, it is a very nifty tool that is not utilised as it should be.
