§ Mr. Peter AtkinsonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the agencies which supply free assistance and legal advice to those people who wish to pursue claims through the small claims court.
Mr. John M. TaylorThis information is not kept centrally. The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux issues a list of all individual bureaux in England and Wales but this is being reprinted and will not be available until mid-June. In addition, advice and assistance is provided by law centres and other advice agencies in England and Wales, which are free to decide which kinds of problems to cover.
4W
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what qualifications lay representatives will be required to possess before they can represent plaintiffs in the small claims court as set out in the consultation paper "Small Personal Injury Claims"; and from which professions they will be drawn.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Lay Representatives (Rights of Audience) Order 1992 allows litigants a free choice of representative to help them pursue or defend their case in court. It is a matter for the litigants themselves whom they choose. Lay representatives are required to act in an honest, reasonable and responsible manner; if they fail to do so the court may withdraw their right of audience.