HC Deb 26 May 1909 vol 5 cc1178-80
Sir EDWARD CARSON

asked the Attorney-General how in any special jury actions, No. 2 List, published for hearing last week, have been tried or disposed of since Monday, 17th May; and if he can state how ninny special jury actions are now set down for trial, and when he anticipates such list can be disposed of?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir William Robson)

In reply to the first part of the right hon. Member's question, one part-heard case in No. 2 List was taken last week and adjourned until 25th May instant. In reply to the latter part of the question, 265 special jury actions are awaiting trial, but it is impossible to form any idea when they can be disposed of.

Sir E. CARSON

Within a year?

Sir W. ROBSON

I would not like to pledge myself to any sort of definite date.

Sir E. CARSON

Does it not really amount to a denial of justice?

Sir E. CARSON

asked the Attorney-General if he can state how many cases of all kinds which are ready for hearing now remain for disposal in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, and when he anticipates the arrears will be cleared off?

Sir W. ROBSON

The total number of cases now ready for hearing in the King's Bench Division is 819. It is impossible for the officers of the court to form any- idea as to when these cases are likely to he disposed of, as so much depends upon the nature and length of each particular case.

Sir E. CARSON

asked the Attorney-General if he can state how many judges have been occupied in the Court of Criminal Appeal during the present term, and for what period of time; whether his attention has been called to the dislocation of business in the King's Bench Division owing to the constant withdrawal of judges for the purpose of hearing cases in the Court of Criminal Appeal; and whether it is intended to take any steps to remedy this state of affairs?

Sir W. ROBSON

The Court of Criminal Appeal has sat on 17 days-. up to and including May 24—during the present term. The court was composed of three judges on 12 occasions and of five judges on five occasions. My attention has been called to the state of business in the King's Bench Division, and I would respectfully refer the right hon. Member to an answer given by my right hon. Friend the. Prime Minister upon the subject on Monday last., the 17th instant. This matter is under the earnest consideration of the Government.

Sir E. CARSON

Has consideration been given to the immense cost to which litigants are put by reason of cases being postponed, the hearing broken off, witnesses being sent away, and matters of that sort?

Sir W. ROBSON

I am not in a position to deny the consequences which are suggested as the necessary and inevitable result of delay in the hearing of cases.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

May I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman if a sufficient number of judicial appointments might not properly be made from among hon. Gentlemen behind him?

Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGH

May I ask whether it is not the fact that if all the judges attended to their work there would be plenty of judges for all the business to be done?

Sir W ROBSON

I think all the judges do attend to their work, and rather more than attend to their work. A very great amount of judicial work is done out of judicial hours. Judgments are reserved, and they are much more carefully considered than in the olden time. There is not the slightest reason to suggest that the arrears which have now taken place are due to any lack of most earnest vigilant care and industry on the part of the judges.

Sir EDWARD CARSON

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that, notwithstanding the arrears of cases awaiting trial in the King's Bench Division, three judges were obliged to sit last week in the Court of Criminal Appeal, one in the Court of Appeal, one in the Railway and Canal Commission Court, and one at the Old Bailey; and how many judges were available for carrying on the general business of the King's Bench Division?

Sir WILLIAM ROBSON

The right hon. Member has been correctly informed as to the allocation of business amongst the judges of the King's Bench Division last week--from Monday. 17th May, to Friday, 21st May, six judges sat. daily for the disposal of the general business of the King's Bench Division.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the Attorney-General represent seriously to the Prime Minister the great need for more judges?