§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if there will be a full period of public consultation before the small claims court limit is increased; and if he will make a statement. [32526]
Mr. John M. TaylorLord Woolf consulted widely in the preparation of his interim report. In view of this, the Lord Chancellor does not intend to undertake further public consultation on the question whether he should implement Lord Woolf's recommendation that the limit for small claims, other than those for personal injury, should be raised to £3,000. The power to make the necessary amendments rests with the county court rule committee which, as part of its consideration of the matter, consults interested parties.