Official data suggests the backlog in county courts is beginning to ease but new research shows that regional disparities remain a major obstacle, prolonging claims resolution for insurers, policyholders and solicitors.
The Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly, published September 4, showed the average small claim now takes 40.6 weeks to reach trial, while multi- and fast-track claims average 62 weeks. Both figures are an improvement on the previous quarter and the same period in 2023.
However, delays still remain longer than before the pandemic. Between March and June 2019, small claims took an average of 36.6 weeks, while multi/fast-track cases were resolved within 59.1 weeks. In 2015, the figures were shorter still, at 32.3 and 54.2 weeks.
For insurers, this means longer claims lifecycles, higher legal fees and more capital tied up in reserves.
Uneven picture across the country
Despite the national averages improving, a regional breakdown compiled by Express Solicitors showed wide variations in waiting times. London was the only area to record progress, with delays falling from 411 days in 2023-24 to 341 days in 2024-25. Elsewhere, waiting times grew longer.
In Hastings, the average case takes 1,004 days, or almost three years, compared with just 82 days in St. Helens. Courts in Canterbury and Medway reported average delays of more than 800 days. For insurers and claimants alike, this “postcode lottery” makes outcomes unpredictable and compounds costs.
The pace of civil justice directly affects claims handling across personal injury, liability, and motor lines. A slower court system keeps claims open for longer, prolonging uncertainty for injured parties and inflating costs for insurers through additional legal work and delayed settlements.
Damian Bradley, partner at Express Solicitors, said the disparities make planning difficult: “If a claimant’s case is transferred to Hastings, they may have to wait almost three years for their case to be heard by a judge, which is simply untenable.”
Pressure for reform
The Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) has long campaigned on the issue, warning that persistent delays undermine confidence in the system. The Justice Select Committee recently issued a critical report, with a government response expected later this month.
ACSO executive director Matthew Maxwell-Scott said: “While some progress appears to be being made, the numbers are still far worse than before the pandemic, let alone a decade ago. Ministers must now commit to improving things dramatically by the end of this Parliament.”
