HC Deb 12 June 1992 vol 209 c297W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will outline the specific training undertaken by staff of his Department in relation to compensation claims; and what steps are taken to ensure the fair treatment of claimants.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The Department issued guidance to its officials in 1990 on the principles to be taken into account when checking claims for compensation. Decisions are taken at a senior level, with legal advice being sought where appropriate.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are his Department's criteria and guidelines in dealing with compensation claims.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The Department is prepared to consider claims for compensation where loss is sustained through maladministration by court officials in matters for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible.

Staff dealing with the justification for and assessment of compensation claims are required to apply guidelines, the broad principles of which were reproduced in the Law Society Gazette in August 1990. Each claim is assessed on its individual merits.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether(a) the remuneration levels claimed and paid to solicitors and the Treasury Solicitor undertaking work for his Department in relation to compensation claims, (b) the work undertaken by claimants' solicitors to secure financial redress satisfactory to claimants and (c) delays between lodging and resolving claims reflect in compensation and costs paid.

Mr. John M. Taylor

Claims for compensation are considered on the individual merits of the case. The Department will consider payment of a solicitor's reasonable costs in pursuing a claim but inevitably the process of assessing the validity of claims takes time, particularly where it involves communication with other offices within the Department or, on occasions, with the Treasury.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to take decisions on the publication of guidelines as to the principles upon which his Department assesses ex gratia payments for compensation.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The broad principles upon which the Department assesses claims for ex gratia compensatory payments were outlined in an article in theLaw Society Gazette in August 1990. Consideration is being given to further publication of these principles.