HC Deb 23 July 1934 vol 292 cc1518-20
25. Mr. CAPORN

asked the Attorney-General the number of actions now awaiting trial in each of the ordinary lists of the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice; how many of these actions were set down for trial prior to the 29th May, the 10th April, and the 15th January, 1934, respectively; whether he is aware that the long delay in the trial of the civil actions causes hardship and extra expense to many poor litigants; and whether it is proposed to increase the number of judges so as to secure that civil actions are disposed of during the term succeeding that on which they are set down for trial?

The ATTORNEY - GENERAL (Sir Thomas Inskip)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the form of a statistical table which, with my hon. and learned Friend's consent, I will circulate

Number of Actions awaiting trial on 20th July, 1934.
— Set down prior to 15th January, 1934. Set down prior to 10th April, 1934. Set down prior to 29th May, 1934. Total awaiting trial on 20th July, 1934.
A. B. C. D. E.
Ordinary List—
Special Juries 28 94 124 167
Common Juries 8 66 102 140
Non Juries 10 179 311 453
New Procedure List 1 1 5 141
Commercial List 2 7 13 40
Set down under Order 14 Rule 8a — — — 32
49 347 555 973
Notes.—C includes B.
D includes C.
Stayed Cases not included.

in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I am aware that long delay in the trial of civil actions may in certain cases have the effect described by my hon. Friend, but before any decision to increase the number of judges could be effective there are other problems of accommodation, staffing and organisation which must be solved. My Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has these problems under consideration.

Mr. CAPORN

Is it the fact that in the case of an action set down for trial by a special jury, at least 12 months must elapse before it can possibly be tried at the present time?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I could not answer without notice.

Following is the statistical table:

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