The court tomorrow introduces what it calls "dramatically innovative changes" to the way the courts deal with civil claims.
Judge Johnson said the courts had often imposed serious obstacles of cost, time and complexity on many users.
Surveys showed claimants were frequently deterred by the difficulties they encountered in pursuing cases through the court processes.
"The new rules will change all that," the judge said in a statement today.
They meant that "greater access to justice will not be empty rhetoric but an achievable reality for many."
The parties would assume greater control of the process, aiming at early settlement of the issues.
Judge Johnson said only about 1-3 percent of cases went to a defended hearing -- most were settled.
Under the new system a judge would help sensible negotiation and that should resolve most cases.
In cases going to trial the mechanics of the process would be to ensure that the hearing was completed as quickly as possible for the least cost.
Judge Johnson added the key to the process was:
* Improved information from the beginning to encourage early settlement without the need for a hearing
* A settlement conference guided by a judge to help parties negotiate
* Where settlement was still not achieved, a simplified or full trial as the last option.
"This is a much more flexible and sophisticated process than a system that presupposes all cases must, from first filing, move to a defended hearing with all the burdens of cost, time and complexity involved."
