Use of electronic system becomes mandatory for legal professionals in some parts of the country
The Royal Courts of Justice in central London Credit: PA
The Queen’s Bench division of the High Court has introduced an electronic filing system for case documents.
The service applies to the submission of files related to claims and appeals. E-filing is typically used by legal professionals acting on behalf of their clients, but can also be used by individuals representing themselves.
“By using this service, all the documents – along with other information about a claim or case – can be sent together as one package, known as a ‘filing’,” according to HM Courts and Tribunals Service. “The system allows users to pay fees online and keep up to date on progress via automatic email alerts. It also removes the need for a paper case file so staff and judiciary can manage cases digitally. By passing work between teams and colleagues digitally, the system helps reduce delays caused by paper files being transported around buildings and offices.”
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From this week, professional users are required to use e-filing for cases being heard in seven of the many courts across England and Wales – known as district registries – that administer the work of the Queen’s Bench. The electronic system is now mandatory for cases being heard in the district registries of Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle.
The online service remains optional for users at other Queen’s Bench locations.
The Queen’s Bench, alongside the Family and Chancery divisions, is one of three divisions that constitute the High Court of England and Wales.
It typically handles cases related to personal injury, negligence, libel and slander, debt, and breaches of contract, statutory duties, or human rights legislation.
