Spokesman confirms it is looking at ways of improving efficiency of HMCTS as part of fund-saving review

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

The Ministry of Justice has dismissed claims that is actively considering "the wholesale" privatisation of the courts service as part of a radical review to save funds.

While confirming that civil servants are looking at ways of improving the efficiency of the HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS), the MoJ denied that it planned to outsource all court buildings to a private contractor.

Responding late on Monday night to claims that a sale was actively being considered, an MoJ spokesperson stated: "We have always said we are determined to deliver a courts system that is more effective and efficient and provides improved services for victims and witnesses. The proposals being considered are not the wholesale privatisation of the courts service.

"We are committed to the firm, fair and independent administration of justice."

The MoJ is under pressure from the Treasury to make further substantial savings in the coming years. It is already engaged in a consultation exercise aimed at cutting £220m a year out of the criminal legal aid budget.

Transferring HMCTS, which is responsible for all court staff and buildings in England Wales, would be a massive privatisation project.

Some privatisation has already occurred since the coalition government took office. More than 100 magistrates and county court buildings deemed surplus to requirement have been closed down and sold off.

Parts of the courts debt collection service have also been subcontracted to private firms.