§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what variation is permitted within the laid-down guidelines regarding(a) awarded costs and (b) expedited costs in (i) civil and (ii) criminal cases; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John M. TaylorDepartmental targets for the payment of costs in criminal proceedings and recent performance against those targets were referred to in the answer I gave the hon. Member on 11 January 1994 at columns66–68. There are no permissible or formal levels of variation from target. The targets represent realizable but challenging aims for taxing authorities and are used as a means of monitoring and discussing levels of performance. Monitoring is undertaken regularly at various managerial levels in the court service and resources redeployed if necessary to meet fluctuations in workload.
Payment of costs in civil proceedings is a matter for the parties, rather than the courts. Where the court orders payment of costs within a specific period, it is open to either party to apply to vary the time for payment. Whether the application is granted, and on what terms, is a matter for judicial discretion and will depend on the individual circumstances of each case. Enforcement of the order to pay costs is also a matter for the parties to take forward.
§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many instances(a) costs and (b) expedited costs were paid within the standard laid down by charter; in how many cases payments were made (i) only after six months and (ii) only after a year or more in each of the past three years; how much money was involved in each case; and if he will make a statement.
700W
Mr. John M. TaylorThe information sought is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.