HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is considering setting up a digital hub in the West Midlands as part of an effort to increase the technical expertise in its regional operations.
It has emphasised that, despite initial reports that the move is going ahead, no final decision has yet been taken. But it has indicated a possible move could support improvement efforts by bringing together digital skills with frontline services.
An HMCTS spokesperson said: “We are exploring options to establish a digital hub in the West Midlands. The proposed centre would bring together skills and expertise to help us improve the increasing number of digital services and support we offer to people using the justice system.”
The service has already announced plans to locate two service centres for courts and tribunals in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent. These will centralise support and administrative functions, including a number of digital services such as online divorce and civil money claims.
The proposal has been reported as part of a growing emphasis on central government’s digital presence in the West Midlands, with the Government Digital Service having selected Birmingham as the latest site for one of its ‘pop-up’ academies. This will offer a series of courses in digital roles over the next few weeks.
Image by Elliot Brown, CC BY 2.0 through flickr
