The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has acknowledged that it has been hit by problems with its IT network over the past week.
While not identifying all of the issues, it has issued a statement pointing to the disruption initially affecting devices connected to the network, following which access was lost at a large number of sites.
This has apparently affected the Courts Service, with the MoJ saying that some staff could not use IT systems and that, while court hearings were continuing, some were without network access.
Prisons had not been affected and online services such as divorce and probate applications had continued throughout the disruption.
The ministry said it has been working with its main suppliers, notably Atos and Microsoft, and that changes have improved the service at a significant number of the sites. This has made it possible for users to obtain email and internet access via Wi-Fi and mobile devices.
It also said the problems have not resulted from a cyber attack or any element of courts modernisation programme, and that no data has been lost
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
