§ 66. Wing Commander Bullusasked the Attorney-General the average time between the setting down of a civil action for trial and the actual hearing in court in London and at assize, respectively; and what steps he will take to shorten this time.
The Attorney-GeneralThe average time between setting down and trial in the case of a non-jury action is at present about 10 months in London and 12 months at Manchester. At Liverpool the period is about seven months and at other towns considerably less. The position at Liverpool and Manchester will no doubt improve when effect can be given to the measures outlined by the then Home Secretary in answer to a question on the 29th July last. I should, I think, 81W emphasise that setting down cases for trial does not necessarily mean that the parties are ready for or want trial the next day.