Westminster is braced for a constitutional clash as furious MPs from all parties launch a scathing attack on the government over its failure to establish a promised new court for England and Wales.
The Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk, is facing intense pressure after a damning report from the cross-party Justice Select Committee accused the government of 'unacceptable' delays in delivering a crucial pledge to create a new court and tribunal jurisdiction.
A Broken Promise
The controversy stems from the government's own response to a 2021 review, where it committed to creating this new legal jurisdiction. This reform was touted as a vital step towards modernising the UK's complex court system and improving efficiency. However, years have passed with little tangible progress, prompting accusations of empty promises.
The committee's chair, Sir Bob Neill, did not mince words, stating the government’s foot-dragging has been “completely unacceptable” and has left the courts in a state of unnecessary limbo.
MPs Demand Urgent Action
The report lays down a clear ultimatum for the Ministry of Justice. MPs are demanding the government immediately lays a draft order before Parliament to finally bring the new jurisdiction into effect.
This move signals a rare moment of cross-party consensus, with MPs uniting to hold the government's feet to the fire on an issue of critical administrative and legal importance. The ball is now firmly in Alex Chalk's court to respond and act.
The Stakes for the Justice System
Further delays, the committee warns, risk causing significant operational confusion and hinder the effective functioning of the courts. The establishment of a clear, separate jurisdiction is not merely a technicality but a foundational element for the smooth running of the justice system, affecting countless cases and citizens.
The government now faces a stark choice: act swiftly to fulfil its long-overdue promise or face escalating political fury and potential further scrutiny on its management of the justice system.
