MoJ sets up online procedure rule committee for Civil, Family and Tribunal jurisdictions

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a new committee to help guide judges, legal representatives and litigants through online court procedures.

Launched yesterday (12 June), the Online Procedure Rule Committee (OPRC) will “oversee the development of rules for online proceedings across the Civil, Family and Tribunals jurisdictions".

The Committee will also supervise the development of “data and behavioural standards for online dispute resolution before proceedings are brought to a court or tribunal”.

Justice Minister Lord Bellamy has said the work of the OPRC will “help make online court and tribunal services more accessible, encouraging more people to resolve their disputes early”.

According to the MoJ, the OPRC will hold its first meeting on 26 June 2023.

The committee is made up of six members, including the judicial heads of the civil, family and tribunal jurisdictions. The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, will Chair the committee.

The other OPRC members are:

  • Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division
  • Sir Keith Lindblom, Senior President of Tribunals
  • Brett Dixon, legal expert
  • Sarah Stephens, expert in the lay advice sector
  • Gerard Boyers, technology expert

Lord Bellamy said: “It is vital that digital court processes are governed by rules more suited to evolving technologies, and the creation of this committee secures the government’s longstanding commitment to leading the way in making this a reality.”

Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, said: “I am delighted to be leading the new Online Procedure Rule Committee.

“The OPRC will oversee the creation of an end-to-end digital journey allowing people to resolve their disputes more quickly and efficiently. It will provide the necessary governance for the digital justice system as it develops.”

Lottie Winson
A&M Bacon