The Think Tank has ranked each big Government department and its ministers on its reforms of public services, and the Ministry of Justice has been highly praised.
The introduction of payment by results programmes in prisons was singled out as one of the ‘big successes’ of the first 18 months of the coalition Government.
Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke was also praised for leading the reforms, which the Think Tank said have presented “the best arguments for competition of any department”.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We’re delighted that our achievements on a far-reaching reform programme have been recognised. Competition is a proven mechanism for improving performance and efficiency. Our reforms will help reduce reoffending while ensuring taxpayers get best value for money.”
Read the Reform ‘scorecard’ here
Clarke: new measures for ‘less daunting’ justice
Individuals and businesses will now find it cheaper, quicker and less daunting to resolve their disputes in civil courts through new measures announced by Secretary of State for Justice, Ken Clarke.
The measures are set out in the Government’s response to the consultation Solving Disputes in the County Courts. They include plans to simplify the majority of cases, modernise and streamline the county court system and free up the High Court to only deal with particularly complex cases.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said: “Individuals and businesses tell me that the civil justice system at the moment can sometimes be intimidating and that they don’t know if using the system will be worth the time, expense and hassle of going to court. I want to make the system as easy and transparent as possible. I want people to be able to resolve their disputes cheaply and simply through the courts’ very successful mediation service, and I want judges freed up to make quick and effective judgments based on the facts of a case without unnecessary legal complication.”
Clarke added: “These changes will produce a service that helps people to resolve their disputes effectively and in the simplest and quickest way possible so they can get on with their lives and businesses.”
1.5 million disputes every year
The England and Wales civil courts system deals with around 1.5 million disputes per year, ranging from arguments between neighbours and people owing money through to international contract disputes and claims for compensation.
Under the Government’s proposals, up to 80,000 more cases each year could be decided on through a simple small claims mediation process, in turn avoiding the stress, expense and legal preparation of a formal court hearing.
This gives people the option of using a quick telephone-based mediation service, with 98% of users saying they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service.