2.3 The Magistrates' Courts Standard System (MASS) was based upon the cornerstone that "best of breed" suppliers6 would be selected to deliver the constituent parts and that this approach would result in a robust product which would fully meet user requirements. By September 1996, the basic MASS software had been written, but not tested. At that time, after an independent review showed that the Department's strategy for delivery of the project was flawed, the Department terminated all existing contracts. The Department paid its MASS contractors some £6.8 million. The principal reasons for cancellation were the lack of experienced and strong project management, the problems inherent in managing a disparate set of suppliers, and the extending timescales.
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6 The suppliers were Admiral for development of the system and training, FI for software support, and ICL, Digital and Bull for hardware. The Department expected Magistrate's Courts Committees to contract with one of the hardware suppliers locally.