Courts Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed the results of the 2025 Court User Survey, which showed that 82% of respondents were satisfied with their experience in court – up from 76% in 2023 – and the best result recorded since 2019.
The Minister said the survey outcomes reflect the efforts of court staff and ongoing work to fix what matters in the justice system.
“Going to court can be a stressful experience, so it’s heartening to see such positive feedback. These results are a testament to the dedication of our court staff and judges across the country,” said Minister McKee.
The survey also measured perceptions of safety in and around courthouses, with 91% of respondents saying they felt ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ entering the courthouse, 95% felt ‘safe’ in the courtroom, and 89% while giving evidence.
“Safety is fundamental to public trust in the justice system. Without it, justice simply cannot be delivered,” says Mrs McKee.
“While these results are overwhelmingly positive, further improvements are underway – especially with a focus on victims’ needs.
“Of those who said they felt unsafe at court, 17% of respondents said it was because they were near the other party or their supporters.
“That’s why expanding the use of audio-visual links in court is so important. It allows participants to attend remotely so victims feel safer and speeds up court processes.”
Other recent court improvements include:
- A 20% reduction in the District Court criminal case backlog since April 2023;
- A 20% reduction in active cases in the District Court’s civil jurisdiction in the year to July 2025, with the average age of active cases dropping by a remarkable 36% over the same period;
- The Disputes Tribunal has completed more than 900 extra cases in the year to July 2025, compared to the year prior, and a 21% drop in aged cases;
- The active caseload in the Coroners Court has reduced by 15% which can be attributed to the introduction of associate coroners, clinical advisors, and relief coroners.
“These improvements mean victims, families, and businesses are getting faster justice and closure, rather than being stuck in drawn-out proceedings,” Mrs McKee said.
“Next year will see the rollout of further changes to fix what matters and deliver justice faster including the digital caseflow management system and an expanded role of community magistrates,” she said.
