The justice system is a stark example of the public policy consequences of bad data outlined in Georgina Sturge’s excellent article (From migration to railways, how bad data infiltrated British politics, 7 November).
For years, our court system has failed to collect even the most basic data about those involved, the outcomes of the decisions it makes and their long-term impact.
The result is inefficient and often inaccessible processes, and a continued weakness in addressing ongoing problems such as tackling current backlogs. Policy change is often driven by whim and anecdote rather than good evidence.
Sturge is right to identify government reluctance to invest in good data collection and management as a primary cause. Yet the digital courts reform programme now under way offers an ideal opportunity to get this right.
There are areas of public life – in education and health, for example – where good data is making a positive difference. Given the importance of the rule of law to all our lives, it’s time the justice system caught up.
Dr Natalie Byrom
Founding director, Justice Lab, Legal Education Foundation
