NEWS CCR COURTS SET FOR REFORM


THE civil court system is in need of significant reform to increase efficiency, in a move which could lead to more court closures, according to a senior political figure. In his first major speech following the


Conservative’s election victory – entitled ‘What does a one nation justice policy look like?’ – lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice Michael Gove said: “Without our civil and family courts, or our tribunal services, our contracts are unenforceable, and individuals left with no recourse when deprived of their rights. “But it astonishes businesses and


individuals alike that they cannot easily file their case online. And it astounds them that


they cannot be asked


questions online and in plain English, rather than on paper and in opaque and circumlocutory jargon.


“The current system adds to stress at


times of need, and restricts access to high quality resolution of disputes by simply being too complex,


too


bureaucratic and too slow.” He added: “Across our court and


tribunal system we need to challenge whether formal hearings are needed at all in many cases, speed up decision making, give all parties the ability to submit and consider information online, and consider simple issues far more proportionately.” He said that the judiciary was currently


planning a major reform programme and the government had already committed to invest in the technology which would underpin it. Online solutions and telephone and video hearings would make justice easier to access and reduce the need for long – and often multiple – journeys to court.


NEW GUIDANCE ON PAYDAY LENDING ADVERTISEMENTS


THE payday lending industry has been given new guidance on its television advertising, although a major review found no evidence that adverts were being aimed at children. The guidance, published by the


Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), aims to clarify “the spirit in which the rules must be interpreted, particularly the rule that requires ads to be responsible to the audience and to society”. It insists that adverts may breach the


rules if they suggest loans are a suitable means of addressing ongoing financial concerns; condone non-essential or frivolous spending; or unacceptably distort the serious nature of payday loan products. The guidance suggests that “animation,


catchy upbeat jingles and humorous themes” should be used with care, and proposes phrases to help payday loan advertisers communicate reasonable benefits of the product such as “It helped out as my boiler was broken and I was two weeks away from pay day”.


10 The CAP’s review of the content of


television adverts assessed 145 adverts against the rules and did not find substance in perceptions that some payday loan adverts were aimed at encouraging children to ask their parents to take out a payday loan. During the content review, the CAP


received research from the Children’s Society and evidence submitted in response to a call for evidence, which has prompted it to launch a public consultation on scheduling of television adverts for payday loans. The consultation will be launched by the end of July 2015. Russell Hamblin-Boone, chief executive


of the Consumer Finance Association, said: “The CAP has conducted a comprehensive review of the content and scheduling of adverts based on the evidence. We have fully co-operated with the committee and welcome the new guidance. “Our members have consistently


shown a commitment to only reaching appropriate audiences.”


www.CCRMagazine.co.uk The government would also be able to


reduce its dependence on an “ageing and ailing” court estate which, he said, cost around one third of the entire HM Courts and Tribunals Service budget. He added: “This reform programme


could liberate tens of thousands of individuals from injustice and free hundreds of thousands of hours of professional time. “Inevitably, that means looking again at


the court estate. It is still the case that many of our courts stand idle for days and weeks on end. Last year over a third of courts and tribunals sat for less than 50% of their available hours (10am – 4pm). At a time when every government department has to find savings, it makes more sense to deliver a more efficient court estate than, for example, make further big changes to the legal aid system.”


CALLS FOR LATE PAYMENT TO BE ON AGENDA


GOVERNMENT ministers have been urged to put late payment at the heart of the political agenda. Speaking at the launch of their


Second Quarter Small Business Index, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses John Allan said: “It is critical that the new government continues to develop the right environment to support businesses planning to grow, invest and take on new staff in the next 12 months. In the Budget and upcoming Enterprise Bill, ministers should prioritise supporting small business growth, simplify business taxes, raise skills and tackle poor payment practices.” The research found that small business


confidence has picked up markedly in the second quarter, with growth and investment intentions reaching new highs since the index began in 2010. With few negatives in the overall picture, the latest survey readings on job creation, productivity and investment were all positive.


July 2015


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