HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) will undertake new contracts from 1 April 2020 with ENGIE and OCS promising improvements to security and better facilities for court users and staff. The government announced the new contracts – worth a combined £1.1 billion – yesterday, saying that HMCTS will aim to focus more on the people who use our courts and tribunals along with increased spending on training for security staff.
The government has come under scrutiny in recent months over the maintenance of court buildings, with buildings frequently closed due to lack of heating and water, and some sites reported to be dilapidated and in need of repair. Some court users have complained of unfair treatment by security staff during their search process on entry to court buildings, with urgent reform said to be needed in regard to ‘search on entry’ guidelines.
Last year the House of Commons justice select committee said it was ‘wholly unreasonable’ to expect judicial office-holders, HMCTS staff and external court users ‘to put up with dilapidated and uncomfortable court buildings’.
Commenting on the announcement, Justice Minister Chris Philp MP, said, “These new contracts will modernise and enhance the experience of all those using our courts and tribunals, delivering more user-friendly services.”
Sources; gov.uk, 13 January 2020, ‘New contracts will improve condition and security of courts.’ lawgazette.co.uk, 13 January 2020, ‘HMCTS promises better court conditions and security.’