Overview

• A defect in the Judicial Case Manager software rolled out in 2018 reportedly obscured or erased evidence in benefit, family, civil and probate proceedings.
• Leaked internal reports show senior leadership first received warnings about data corruption in March 2024 but did not escalate the issue.
• Whistleblowers have lodged formal complaints accusing HMCTS of a “culture of cover-ups” and warning that incomplete evidence may have influenced rulings.
• Former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk and ex-High Court family division head Sir James Munby have compared the delay to the Post Office Horizon scandal and urged a root-and-branch independent investigation.
• HMCTS maintains its internal review found no proof of compromised judgments and says built-in fail-safes ensured parties always had access to necessary documents.