Solicitors have heavily criticised the courts infrastructure in a damning new report by the Law Society of England and Wales describing the condition of court buildings as ‘shambolic’ with many in poor states of repair, technology which regularly fails, and inadequate facilities, particularly for disabled users.
Asbestos, mould, dilapidated toilets, and issues with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) were cited by respondents; and in some of the more bizarre, and serious, failures, respondents reported courts closing due to dead and rotting seagulls within insulation and sewage leaks.
‘State of the courts: solicitors’ views on the court infrastructure in 2025’ is the latest report on whether the court infrastructure is fir for purpose. The last survey and accompanying report was published in 2022. Many of the issues identified then remain prevalent now.
Comments from respondents described court buildings as ‘ram shackled and at best neglected’, in a ‘poor state of repair’, and ‘on their last legs’. At Hull Crown Court, one respondents described space allocated for solicitors:
“We are all now crammed into one tiny room that does not have enough desks or power sockets. It’s also floor to ceiling windows so boiling hot in the sun but freezing cold when the sun isn’t shining because the heating doesn’t work either. You wouldn’t expect defendants in cells to put up with this but sadly counsel and solicitors are expected to just put up with it”.
Heating and air-conditioning issues, broken lifts, unmarked slopes, missing grab rails, and a lack of ‘basic amenities’ such as drinks machines or water facilities were all point to a ‘wider neglect of the physical environment, undermining the justice system and the wellbeing of those who work in or rely on it’ said the report.
20% of respondents reported the on-site technology in the courts was ‘not at all’ fit for purpose, a similar proportion to the 21% reported in 2022. Poor wifi which resulted in poor quality remote hearing, the inability to undertake remote hearings, whether because of Wi-Fi or a lack of equipment in court rooms, a lack of plug sockets, faulty cables etc all contributed to poor on site experiences.
Technology was a factor in greater dissatisfaction with court facilities reported by disabled users where the proportion of disabled solicitors disagreeing or strongly disagreeing to statements about having access to appropriate technologies, such as hearing loops, or feeling physically safe from harm whilst attending court was significantly larger in 2025 compared to 2022. Solicitors with a disability were significantly more likely to find the physical state of the courts ‘not at all fit’ for purpose (45%) compared to those with no disability (25%). Court users are similarly affected with the report going on to say :
“These findings add weight to the recent independent review commissioned by the Victims’ Commissioner, which found that disabled victims are denied equal access to justice by physically inaccessible court buildings and a lack of reasonable adjustments, including issues with remote hearings.”
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of solicitors who responded to the survey said they had experienced cases being delayed, adjourned, or moved because of the poor state of court buildings. Cases were adjourned, delayed, moved online or transferred to different venues. Clients and victims were left in limbo and denied access to justice with many at risk of losing jobs, facing insecure housing situations and wasting both time and money. A vital public service is being left to stagnate, compounding the harm caused by these delays the report adds.
Manchester, Uxbridge, Swindon and Leeds were the lowest scoring courts. Grimsby Magistrates, IAC Birmingham, Liverpool Crown Court and Salisbury were the highest scoring locations.
‘The poor state of court buildings across England and Wales is both a contributor to the huge backlog of court cases and an illustration of the woeful lack of investment in our justice system. Government underfunding is denying us, our children and our businesses a vital public service”, said Law Society president Richard Atkinson.
“The backlog in our Crown Courts stands at more than 76,957 cases, while two-thirds of care cases in family courts take longer than the 26-week time limit. There are currently 35,475 open family court cases, according to recent statistics.
“Behind each of these statistics are tens of thousands of adults and children who could be freed from limbo and move forward with their lives if they could have their day in court.
“The report also identifies examples of good practice, which show the positive results that can be achieved when necessary investment is made.
“This could be an easy win for the government, which has rightly recognised the need for capital and sustained investment in the courts but must go further. By targeting investment effectively and applying technology, we can ensure that everyone has access to justice, without unacceptable delays, in courts that are truly fit for purpose.”
The Law Society – State of the Courts – solicitors views on the court infrastructure in 2025_
