§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what consultation his Department has carried out to consider increases in the small claims limit since July 1994; and if he will make a statement. [32737]
315W(2) how many representations he has received since January as part of the full public consultation prior to any increase in the small claims limit; and if he will make a statement. [32738]
(3) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the interim report of the judicial review on the civil justice system conducted by Lord Woolf to comply with his Department's criteria for a departmental consultation on the level of the small claims limit; and if he will make a statement. [32840]
Mr. John M. TaylorThe small claims limit fell within the scope of the first stage of Lord Woolf's review of access to justice. During this review, Lord Woolf himself conducted an extensive consultation exercise including a programme of public seminars. A list of the individuals and organisations which contributed to the inquiry is annexed to the interim report, which was published last month. In view of that wide-ranging consultation, 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, will consult interested parties.