For a number of years, the Possession Claims Online system (PCOL) has been the online portal through which landlords and mortgage lenders have issued possession claims. As part of the modernisation of the courts and tribunals, PCOL is being phased out and will be replaced by the new HMCTS Digital Service (DS), which over time will be capable of processing a broader range of claim types.
The formal start of this phase-out was marked by the introduction of the Online Procedure (Rules and Practise Directions) Rules 2026 (OPR) which came into force on 7 September 2026.
The OPR is a new set of procedural rules distinct from the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), that will govern all online proceedings. It represents a significant procedural shift within the civil justice system as the Courts modernise their services in a direct response to the legislative changes brought by the Renters Rights Act 2025 and the abolition of Section 21 'no fault' evictions.
At its heart, the Overriding Objective of the OPR "is to promote access to justice by enabling disputes to be resolved using digital means (before or after the start of proceedings) quickly, efficiently, fairly and at proportionate cost".
The scope of the OPR is, for the time being, limited to possession claims. However, it is clear that the OPR have been drafted with a view to applying to other types of claims as the Court's digital infrastructure evolves and develops.
Initial rollout - Phase 1
Phase 1 covers County Court possession claims in England and Wales. This pilot stage applies to Registered Providers in England and Community Landlords in Wales. The system is initially live only across specified court centres namely Bradford, Caernarfon, Huddersfield and Wandsworth.
Whilst the DS is not currently available for the private sector, users and geographical scope is expected to be widened and gradually rolled out in subsequent phases.
The Practice Direction
The Online Procedure Rules for Possession Proceedings (PD) in essence, supplements the OPR, and sets out the practical and procedural requirements for how possession claims are issued and managed online.
From 7 September 2026, all Possession claims that meet the Phase 1 criteria must now be submitted online through a MyHMCTS account.
Instead of having to complete complicated legal forms, the digital service guides a user through a straightforward, step-by-step questionnaire. It also ensures that all supporting evidence is uploaded at the start of the process, enabling defective claims to be identified at an early stage rather than later in the court process, thereby reducing the risk of delays.
There is a useful guidance document that has been published on the government website.
Once the Court fee has been paid, the start date of the claim is recorded in the DS system, and a hearing date is fixed.
The OPR states the first hearing will not be more than 8 weeks from the claim being submitted in the DS which will be an improvement on the current wait times that are typically between 8 to 16 weeks depending on the Court proceedings are issued in.
Paper-based alternatives are still available for unrepresented individuals who are unable to access or use the DS. Any paper documents will be uploaded by Court staff and added to the electronic file in order to ensure there is a full online record.
Looking Ahead
The creation of a new set of procedural rules specifically for online claims is a significant step towards a more modern and digital court system.
Transitioning away from paper-based processes to the DS should help to reduce administrative errors and speed up the progression of possession claims making it easier to submit, respond, manage and track claims albeit that the rigid format of the DS may prove restrictive in some cases.
Landlords will need to ensure that their housing management records are well organised, complete, and readily available before proceedings are issued. Only time will tell if the DS will speed up the possession process, as courts will need to ensure that wider challenges of stretched court resources and current backlogs are tackled, otherwise delays are likely to persist.
Further information can be found here:
