§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Mr. Christopher Leslie)The following table sets out the targets that have been set for66WS the Court Service for 2003–04. Copies of the Court Service Business Plan for 2003–04 has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Headline Targets Target 2003–04 To support Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs) in meeting their targets, including: reduction of Crown Court ineffective trials, contribution to an overall national reduction from 24% to 17% by March 2006; 4% reduction the percentage of Crown Court defendants and appellants whose cases are heard within target time; 78% the period from charge to sentence for Persistent Young Offenders: and 71 days increasing sitting days in the Crown Court, facilitating the increase in the number of crimes for which an offender is brought to justice to 1.2 million by 2005–06; 101,500 sitting days Increase year on year the level of satisfaction in four key areas of service delivery. To increase: Knowledge of court staff at the public counter.
Knowledge of court staff on the telephone.
Speed of resolution of complaints.
Helpfulness of written replies.
The percentage of Public Law Children Act cases dealt with within 40 weeks (from commencement to disposal). 70% of cases dealt with within 40 weeks. The proportion of asylum cases to be cleared through decision and appeal. 60% of cases deal with within target.