UK government to recruit 1,000 judges to manage Renters’ Rights Act demand

The UK government is recruiting 1,000 new judges and tribunal members to manage rising demand caused by the Renters’ Rights Act. Courts Minister Sarah Sackman confirmed the recruitment drive is intended to ensure possession claims are handled swiftly and effectively following the abolition of Section 21.

To support this capacity increase, the government is implementing full end-to-end digitisation of the courts, expected to be complete by April or May next year. This includes a new centralised hub and digital services for possession claims and the Residential Property Chamber. While self-represented landlords and tenants may still use paper statements, all internal case management will move to a digital format to reduce delays and document loss.

Ministry of Justice data shows that possession claims rose by 6% between April and June 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, with accelerated possession claims increasing by 16%. Ben Beadle, CEO of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), noted that while the recruitment is a positive step, the effectiveness of the system will depend on whether landlords can regain possession of properties in a timely and straightforward manner.