Dozens of small claims cases in Bedford

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers said people in need of justice are facing "unacceptable delays" for their day in court.

New figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for the first quarter of this year show there were 35 small claims allocated at Bedford County Court – fewer than the 45 a year ago, but more than the 19 in 2020.

The average wait time for a small claims case to be heard at Bedford County Court in the three months to March was 10 months and 25 days.

This was slightly lower than the same period a year earlier, when it was 11 months and one day.

It was also lower than the 11 months and 28 days in 2020, before the Covid pandemic caused major delays across the justice system.

Small claims cases are made when a contract has been breached, usually when a person is trying to get their money back for a faulty product, poor service or personal injury.

They are heard in county courts, when the sum involved is less than £10,000.

Across England, the average wait from a claim being issued to the hearing or trial commencing was 11 months and 13 days – a slight decrease on the 11 months and 24 days a year earlier.

However, it is still significantly higher than the average wait of nine months and three days in 2020.

Matthew Tuff, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, said while the Government was taking action elsewhere in the justice system, "civil justice must not be forgotten".

"People who turn to the county courts in their time of need are being met with unacceptable delays, a lack of court staff, and crumbling buildings," he said.

"While cases are delayed, justice is at a standstill and victims are unable to get their lives back on track.

"Someone who has suffered harm because of negligence, perhaps at work or on the road, is just as much a victim as a victim of crime."

The data also shows the average wait for fast, multi and intermediate track trials at Bedford County Court, which are used for more serious issues, was one year, three months and 26 days – lower than the national average of one year, five months and five days.

Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said Government investment to recruit more court staff would "help reduce delays and contribute to enhancing access to justice".

He added: "We continue to call for regular data on the court estate to be shared to help transform the issue of court maintenance from a reactive process to a proactive one.

"It would enable courts to better predict maintenance failures, allow for improved processes and be cost-efficient."

A MoJ spokesperson said it is supporting the busiest courts by allowing judges to hear cases remotely.

They added: "Around 97% of county court claims are resolved without the need for a trial but we are taking action to ensure those that do are dealt with quickly.

"We are investing in the recruitment of about 1,000 judges and tribunal members this year across all courts and tribunals, have funded 74,300 sitting days in the Civil Courts for 2025-26 and are holding more remote hearings."

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