Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to reform the tribunal process to make it more cost-effective for small businesses seeking redress for late payments.

Claims for late payment are generally made as specified money claims to the County Court and not to a specific tribunal.

We are taking multiple steps to drive improvements and reduce delays in the County Court which will result in better experience including for small businesses.

We are investing in the Court’s digital infrastructure. Our new digital services (such as Online Civil Money Claims) are supporting swifter access to justice with reduced processing times, and more engagement with the justice system as evidenced by higher levels of defended claims and admissions for cases. Cases which can progress on digital services consistently progress three times quicker from the time the claim is issued to the generation of a Standard Directions Order.

The introduction of mandatory mediation for money claims under £10,000 via the HM Courts & Tribunals Service Small Claims Mediation Service has enabled a larger number of claims to be settled earlier, at lower cost and without requiring a final judicial hearing.

Additionally, the extension of Fixed Recoverable Costs to most civil claims under £100,000 is delivering access to justice at proportionate cost by making it clear at the start of proceedings the adverse costs that parties are liable to pay. This allows small businesses in litigation to make an informed choice about whether and how to proceed.