Research at HMCTS
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-17)

An overview of research undertaken by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

Overview

We’re transforming the way justice is delivered. Through our reform programme we’re modernising and upgrading our justice system so it works even better for everyone.

To properly understand what our users want from a modern justice system, we’re gathering evidence and carrying out an extensive programme of engagement and research. This helps us understand the needs and expectations of our users. It also helps us to understand the likely impacts of any changes made as part of the reforms and lets us evaluate whether they’re effective.

We’re committed to communicating the research we conduct and to collaborating and engaging with those who carry out their own research on the justice system.

Our approach

We carry out research using the full range of qualitative and quantitative methods across multiple disciplines and analytical professions.
- Behavioural research attempts to understand how people make decisions and how this influences their behaviour, which can help services design interventions and solutions to behavioural challenges
- Operational research applies quantitative methods to help make sense of our data and conduct analyses to help services operate and reform more effectively
- data analysis
- focus groups
- in-depth interviews
- social surveys
- User research employs primary qualitative research techniques (e.g. interviews, observations, usability testing) to understand how people use our services and their needs and preferences when doing so
Evaluation

Evaluation is vital to understanding the implementation and impact of changes and to assess whether they’re effective. Evaluation helps identify what works and what doesn’t, highlighting good practice and identifying unintended consequences.

Evidence gathered through evaluation can provide HMCTS with greater accountability and a strong evidence base for future decision making.

To ensure that the impact of changes to the justice system are evaluated impartially, evaluation activities are often conducted independently of HMCTS. Recent examples include the process evaluation of the 2018 Video Hearing pilot (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementing-video-hearings-party-to-state-a-process-evaluation).

Publications

Our research and evaluation publications include:
- Independent Technical Review of Qualifications and Experience Requirements for the Provision of Spoken Language Interpreting (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-technical-review-of-qualifications-and-experience-requirements-for-the-provision-of-spoken-language-interpreting): this report reviews the technical qualifications and experience requirements for spoken language interpreters deployed on Ministry of Justice assignments.
- Immigration and Asylum Appeals Reformed Service: Evaluation Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-and-asylum-appeals-reformed-service-evaluation-report): we conducted the second stage in an evaluation of the digital service for appealing a visa or immigration decision.
- Assessing Access to Justice in HMCTS Services (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessing-access-to-justice-in-hmcts-services): this publication is in line with the HMCTS data strategy , which outlines our commitment to being transparent and treating data as one of our most valuable assets.
- HMCTS protected characteristics questionnaire 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-protected-characteristics-questionnaire-2023): this report summarises responses to the Protected Characteristics Questions (PCQ) collected for reformed HMCTS services between January and July 2023.
- HMCTS opt out mediation evaluation (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-opt-out-mediation-evaluation): an evaluation conducted to understand the change from offering mediation on an opt in basis to an opt out basis within the new digital service for starting civil money claims (Online Civil Money Claims).
- HMCTS protected characteristics questionnaire: Data on users of reformed services (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-protected-characteristics-questionnaire/hmcts-protected-characteristics-questionnaire-data-on-users-of-reformed-services): this report summarises responses to the Protected Characteristics Questions (PCQ) collected for reformed HMCTS services between April and September 2021.
- HMCTS citizen user experience research (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-citizen-user-experience-research): Kantar Public was commissioned by HMCTS to carry out research among court and tribunal users to understand their experiences and needs when accessing HMCTS services
- Implementing video hearings (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementing-video-hearings-party-to-state-a-process-evaluation): this report sets out the findings of an independent process evaluation of the Video Hearings Pilot (party-to-state) in 2018
- HMCTS remote hearing evaluation (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-remote-hearing-evaluation): the study includes surveys and interviews with different groups of court and tribunal stakeholders
- Data in the Courts and Tribunals System: HMCTS Update Report (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61ae3456e90e07043c35f4eb/HMCTS_Data_Update_December_2021.pdf) (PDF, 1.22 MB, 12 pages): the strategy outlines our vision and plan for a data-driven courts and tribunals service
- Improving defendant engagement report (https://revolving-doors.org.uk/publications/understanding-and-improving-defendant-engagement/): we commissioned Revolving Doors to carry out research to understand and help improve defendant engagement across the criminal courts process
- Assessing the redesigned single justice procedure notice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmcts-single-justice-procedure-notice-pilots-assessment): we ran pilots with enforcement bodies after redesigning this notice based on behavioural insight
- Interim process evaluation of the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/first-tier-tribunal-immigration-and-asylum-chamber-reform-interim-process-evaluation): we conducted research on the new digital service for appealing a visa or immigration decision
- Identifying, understanding, and responding to the multiple complex needs of court service users (https://www.revolving-doors.org.uk/publications/identifying-understanding-and-responding-to-the-multiple-complex-needs-of-court-service-users/). We commissioned Revolving Doors to conduct research to better understand how people with multiple and complex needs, such as homelessness, mental ill health, problematic substance misuse and criminal justice system experience, can be better supported
The Ministry of Justice also publishes a wide-range of statistics (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/statistics) relating to the operation of the criminal and civil justice systems, including courts and tribunals.

Procurement

Where necessary, we commission external organisations to conduct research that meets our evidence requirements. Our external research is commissioned through a competitive process. You can find a list of current research contracts on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder).

Apply to conduct research at HMCTS

You can apply for permission to access HMCTS to carry out academic research through our Data Access Panel (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/access-hmcts-data-for-research).

Working with us

Our analytical and research jobs are advertised on Civil Service Jobs. We also host PhD students on the UKRI Policy Internships Scheme (https://www.ukri.org/our-work/developing-people-and-skills/find-studentships-and-doctoral-training/get-training-and-development-to-support-your-doctorate/) and final-year undergraduate students on the Government Social Research sandwich placement scheme (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-apply-for-a-government-social-research-sandwich-student-placement). Others interested in working with us should get in contact directly to discuss opportunities for collaborative working.

We recently collaborated with Dr Natalie Byrom, Director of Research and Learning at The Legal Education Foundation, who was seconded to HMCTS between September to December 2018 to advise on strategies to enhance academic engagement and improve the availability of data for research purposes.

Related links
- Agency appointed to support recruitment of legal professionals for research (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/agency-appointed-to-support-recruitment-of-legal-professionals-for-research)
- The Areas of Research Interest (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-justice-areas-of-research-interest) document is part of MOJ’s ambition to put evidence at the heart of the justice system. It highlights key strategic areas where the department as a whole would like to see an increase in the evidence base
- A calendar of the online, face-to-face and showcase events (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmcts-reform-events-programme) we’re planning to raise awareness and contribute to the progress of different aspects of the reform programme
Get in touch

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact the HMCTS Insight Team by email (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). For information on our data strategy, please contact the HMCTS Analysis and Performance team (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).