The Online Procedure (Rules and Practice Directions) Rules 2026 have been published and laid in Parliament, with an effective date of 7 September 2026. These rules are designed to make procedures clear and accessible for users within the digital justice system.
The Online Procedure Rule Committee (OPRC) aims to support a digital justice system that is accessible, easy to use, and capable of delivering justice more quickly and transparently. The OPRC's immediate priority is to create a voluntary Code of Practice.
This Code of Practice will outline inclusion standards, technology and data standards, and guidelines for the responsible and ethical use of AI. It is hoped that all service providers in the digital justice system, including those involved in early dispute resolution, will follow these standards.
The OPRC intends for the Code of Practice to encourage providers to design services that protect vulnerable users, support seamless system movement, and enable earlier, fairer, and more efficient dispute resolution. The Code will be developed in partnership with system providers and users.
Procedural rules for possession proceedings are expected to follow later this year. The Code of Practice will be published alongside the formal response to the OPRC’s 2025 consultation on the Pre-Action Model and Inclusion Framework.