Quick answer:
The OPRC, created by the judiciary, is launching a digital court process in England and Wales—starting with housing cases and expanding to family financial remedies. These platforms use digital technology and AI tools to help people resolve disputes faster and more affordably, often without going to court. This eases pressure on backlogged courts and makes justice more accessible for everyone.

What Are the Online Procedure Rules?

The Online Procedure Rules Committee (OPRC) was established under the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls. Its mission is to make justice more accessible by harnessing digital technology—especially for those who find traditional courts intimidating or confusing.

Key points:

• Court backlogs are a major challenge, with some family and tribunal cases waiting 6–12 months just for a first hearing. The OPRC aims to ease this pressure by enabling people to resolve issues faster and more affordably using digital tools and pre-action processes—helping many disputes settle without ever reaching court.

• The OPRC is currently consulting on the first set of Online Procedure Rules, with a focus on possession claims (consultation closes 15 January 2026).

• These rules will apply to housing disputes, which are expected to increase dramatically after the Renters' Rights Act comes into force.

• Over time, Online Procedure Rules are intended to expand beyond housing—including into other “specified proceedings”, such as family proceedings relating to financial remedies (alongside wider civil/tribunal areas as further proceedings are specified).

• The new digital platform will handle all claims about a single property in one place, integrate pre-action dispute resolution, and is being built with AI support in mind.

Timeline to watch:

• 15 January 2026: OPRC consultation closes

• 1 May 2026: Section 21 "no fault" evictions abolished

• Spring 2026: New HMCTS digital possession platform launches

What's Changing for Tenants

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is a game-changer for tenants in England:

• Section 21 "no fault" evictions will be abolished from 1 May 2026. Landlords must now prove specific grounds for possession, such as rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.

• Tenants can challenge evictions and rent increases more easily, with the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) empowered to freeze rent while a dispute is pending.

• The new online court system is designed to be simpler and more user-friendly, with AI tools available to help tenants prepare their cases, draft defences, and understand legal documents.

Practical implications:

• Expect more cases to go to court, but also more support for tenants to defend themselves.

• AI tools like Caira can help you turn your story into a coherent legal defence, understand notices, and draft responses—making the process less daunting.

Why Unwildered Is the Digital Provider the OPRC Envisions

As the Online Procedure Rules Committee (OPRC) shapes the future of digital justice, the need for accessible, reliable, and innovative platforms has never been clearer. Unwildered is uniquely positioned to meet this moment—offering a digital provider solution that aligns with the OPRC’s vision for a modern, inclusive justice system.

What sets Unwildered apart?

• Artificial intelligence at the core: Our platform, powered by Caira, uses advanced AI to help users turn complex, emotional disputes into clear, structured legal documents—just as the Master of the Rolls described.
  
  

• Chat interface for real-time support: Caira’s chat is available on desktop, mobile, and tablet via our website, making legal help easy to access wherever you are.
  
  

• Document upload and analysis: Users can upload tenancy agreements, notices, filled-in forms, screenshots, and images for instant, AI-powered review and drafting—reducing the risk of errors and delays.
  
  

• Inclusive and user-centred: We prioritise plain language, accessibility, and support for all users—whether you’re a tenant, landlord, or small business—mirroring the OPRC’s inclusion framework.
  
  

• Seamless integration: Unwildered is designed for the digital court era, ready to connect with the new HMCTS possession platform and pre-action services via secure data standards and APIs.
  
  

• Affordable and always available: At just £15/month, Unwildered makes digital legal support accessible to those who need it most, 24/7.

  
  

Unwildered stands ready to be the provider of choice for digital dispute resolution. Whether you’re preparing a possession claim, defending your home, or navigating rent disputes, our platform is built for the new era of online courts—helping you move forward with confidence, clarity, and support.