HC Deb 05 August 1965 vol 717 cc393-4W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost of legally aided cases in magistrates' courts when trial takes place, where depositions only are taken, at Quarter Sessions and Assizes; and what is the average cost of legally aided cases in civil actions in magistrates' courts.

Miss Bacon

The average cost of legally aided defences is as followsMagistrates' Courts (Summary trial)—£16. Magistrates' Courts (Committal proceedings)—£25. Assizes and Quarter Sessions—£68. Magistrates' Courts (Civil cases)—£16.

The figure for Assizes and Quarter Sessions—for which separate figures are not available—is for 1963–64. The other figures are for 1964–65. The figure for civil cases in magistrates' courts is a gross figure without deduction of any costs or contributions that may be recovered.