Civil Justice Council
From SR
Contents |
History
The Civil Justice Council is an Advisory Public Body. The council was established under the Civil Procedure Act 1997 with responsibility for overseeing and co-ordinating the modernisation of the civil justice system. It meets at least three times a year to discuss and agree formal responses to consultation papers.
Roles
The Council provides advice to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs on the effectiveness of aspects of the civil justice system, and makes recommendations to test, review or conduct research into specific areas.
Members
To ensure an appropriate spectrum of experience and skills, the membership of the Council includes:
- Members of the judiciary
- Members of the legal professions
- Civil servants concerned with the administration of the courts
- Persons with experience in and knowledge of consumer affairs
- Persons with experience and knowledge of the lay advice sector
- Persons able to represent the interests of particular kinds of litigants (for example business or employees)
Committees
The majority of business is conducted by committees. Committees enable the Council to involve others with more detailed or specialist knowledge, and wider experience to deal quickly with specific issues or consultation papers. There are currently six committees, each chaired by a Council member, in the following areas of civil procedural reform:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Housing and Land
- Clinical Negligence and Serious Personal Injury
- Access to Justice
- Expert witnesses
- Rehabilitation
