On 19 August, HMCTS introduced a major change to the Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) process: requests for Judgment are now processed digitally and automatically registered with the Registry Trust. This now applies across the 16 early adopter courts and will roll out nationally in September.
Key implications for clients:
- Immediate effect: once Judgment is requested via the OCMC, it is processed the same day and automatically registered overnight with the Registry Trust. Unlike the ‘paper world’ where delays often created a de facto grace period, no such buffer now exists.
- Reputational and credit risk: automatic registration has potentially severe consequences for both individuals and corporates. Even inadvertent or uncontested Judgments could immediately impact credit ratings.
- Why engagement matters: it is now more important than ever that clients engage panel firms as soon as claims are issued in OCMC. Early involvement ensures proceedings are actively monitored, deadlines are not missed, and adverse Judgments are avoided.
Other recent changes
- Legal representatives can now file a Notice of Change for a Defendant LIP digitally, retaining the case online.
- Digital certificates of cancellation/satisfaction are available where FSJs are paid within the required timescales.
Operational Tips
- Nominate panel firms early: ensure your legal representatives are on record from the outset to monitor deadlines. Nominating panel, resulting in service upon them, will provide instant visibility of all Court proceedings and associated procedural deadlines within the digital portal, therefore reducing risk.
- Check the DCP daily: visibility is improved, but responsibility rests with the parties to act quickly.
- Diarise critical dates: without a grace period, missed deadlines will result in automatic Judgments.
- Escalate promptly: if you receive a Judgment notification, contact your panel firm immediately to discuss mitigation options.
Next steps
We continue to engage with MoJ/HMCTS on these developments and will provide further updates as operational guidance is published. In the meantime, please contact us with any questions or to discuss how we can support you in mitigating the risks arising from these changes.
Contacts:
Gavin Miller, Associate Business Unit Director
E: gavinmiller@keoghs.co.uk
Matthew Christopher, Associate Deputy Business Unit Director
E: mchristopher@keoghs.co.uk
Natalie Larnder, Head of Market Affairs
E: nlarnder@keoghs.co.uk
