§ Baroness Mallalieuasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cases in which the appellant received a custodial sentence currently await a hearing date in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), how many were appeals against sentence only and how many against conviction, and in each category how many have been outstanding for (i) under six months, (ii) between six months and 12 months, (iii) between 12 months and 18 months and (iv) in excess of 18 months.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)Both the number of cases seeking leave to appeal and the number of appeals awaiting hearing are continually changing. On 12th August 1991, in cases which the appellant received a custodial sentence 222 appeals and 97 applications for leave to appeal were ready for hearing in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) but had not had a date fixed. Of these, 250 were convicted cases and 69 were sentence cases.
Of the 250 conviction cases there were 163 cases which had been ready for hearing for under six months, 72 cases between six months and 12 months, and 15 cases between 12 months and 18 months. No cases had been ready for hearing in excess of 18 months. Of the 69 sentence cases there were 63 cases which had been ready for hearing for under six 95WA months, and six cases between six months and 12 months. No cases had been ready for hearing in excess of 12 months.