The UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council reflect on the successful launch of a new Case Management Portal and websites

This week saw the launch of a world-leading Case Management Portal and two new websites for the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC).

The portal and websites, which went live on Wednesday 4th December, are already enhancing communications between the UKSC and JCPC and their users. These products were created with a core focus – delivering a world class service which puts users at their heart. Throughout the Programme we have sought views and listened to feedback; this has enabled us to successfully deliver user-led transformation on time and on budget.

The main benefits that users will gain from the portal and websites are:

Enabling users to interact with the administration of the Court at a time which suits them. They can now file court documents digitally, track the progress of their cases in real time and at their own convenience, and be notified of any updates when they happen.

Faster updates about the work of the Court as the interaction between the portal and new websites will enable the publication of cases and case updates at the time they happen and without manual intervention.

Fresh new designs for the websites which comply with high accessibility standards and which highlight the legal and educational work of both the UKSC and JCPC.

More streamlined and clear ways of communicating with the Court for professional users, the public and school groups so they can plan their visit to the Court’s iconic listed building in the heart of London, book events, tours or make an enquiry.

The Case Management System and new websites will revolutionise the way users interact with the Court, whether that be for a case or to learn more about and engage with the highest court in the land. For those who require additional support, such as Litigants in Person, they will find that the changes will support them to engage with the Court in a straightforward and constructive way, beginning with a simple check to find out whether they are eligible to use the Court.

Utilising the latest technology, the portal and websites are the centrepieces of a wide-ranging three-year Change Programme, now in its final year. The Change Programme has transformed the UKSC and JCPC into modern, world-leading courts, which are open, transparent and focused on their users. The new systems complement and enhance not only the judicial functions of the Court, but also its educational activities, showcasing and explaining the UK's judicial arrangements to both domestic and international visitors.

Reflecting on the successful launch, the Chief Executive of the UKSC Vicky Fox said:

This has been a brilliant team effort from everyone involved: my colleagues and our business partner Capgemini Invent. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, we have delivered our Programme on time and within budget, transforming the way legal users and the public can interact with the Court, and achieving our commitment to be world-leading, accessible and transparent.

The Court's Director of Corporate Services and Change, Sam Clark, who led this Programme said:

This is a significant achievement for the Court. The launch of the Case Management Portal and the two new, fully accessible websites for the UKSC and JCPC shows what can be achieved when you genuinely put your users at the heart of delivery. Whether they be external users from the legal profession, a member of the public, or internal users who will be using the new systems every day, delivering something which is clear, intuitive and empowering is a major step forward for the Court and those who use its services.

The successful launch of the portal and websites has been made possible through extensive engagement with a wide variety of users prior to their going live. Almost 350 external users helped in the new systems' testing and research, including legal professionals, academics, the public and the many visitors who come to the Court.