§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets have been set for completing office business in the sheriff courts and Supreme courts; and what performance was secured in 1994–95. [36163]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe targets set for completion of office business in the sheriff courts in 1994–95 are set out in the table. The percentage figures following each target indicate the proportion of sheriff courts achieving the target figures or better in the course of the year. More detailed information on the performance 1133W of individual court offices will be made available to local court advisory committees. Similar targets applied in the Supreme courts and 95 per cent. of these were achieved in 1994–95, with the remaining 5 per cent. achieved in part.
Targets for the Scottish Court Service for 1995–96 are set out in the reply to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) on 31 March 1995, Official Report, columns 803–4. Performance against those targets will be published in the annual report of the Scottish Court Service which was established as an executive agency from 3 April 1995.
Targets for sheriff clerk offices and performance
1994–95
To issue the first deliverance in all ordinary writs, or return to sender, within two working days of receipt. 96 per cent.
To issued the first deliverance in all summary cause actions (including small claims), or return to sender, within three working days of receipt. 96 per cent.
To draft, in preparation for signature, all final ordinary decrees in absence (excluding divorce) within one working day of receipt of the minute craving decree. 91 per cent.
To draft, within seven days of receipt of the affidavits, in preparation for signature, all final decrees in undefended ordinary actions of divorce or return the affidavits to the sender. 90 per cent.
To draft, in preparation for signature, all decrees in actions of divorce under the simplified procedure within one working day of expiry of the period of notice. 97 per cent.
To issue extract decrees in all ordinary actions (excluding divorce) within three working days of the date of ordering or the expiry of the days of appeal—whichever is the later. 89 per cent.
To issue all summary cause/small claim extract decrees within one working day of the due date. 98 per cent.
To issue extract decrees in all ordinary actions of divorce within one working day of the due date. 80 per cent.
To issue extract decrees of divorce under the simplified procedure within one working day of the due date. 89 per cent.
To issue the first deliverance in all petitions for sequestration/liquidation, or return to sender, within two working days of receipt. 93 per cent.
To prepare for signature the first deliverance in all adoption petitions within one working day of a correct petition being received. 92 per cent.
To scrutinise and accept or reject commissary petitions and inventories within two working days of receipt. 98 per cent.
To issue confirmation within three working days of acceptance of inventory. 93 per cent.
To conduct small estate interviews within seven days from the time an interview is requested. 100 per cent.
To process juror claims for payment, or return to sender, within two working days of receipt. 99 per cent.
To process postal fines (other than unidentified payments) on day of receipt. 99 per cent.
To issue warning letters, means enquiry citations, warrants, extracts, etc, and transfer fines within seven days of the trawl. 99 per cent.
To remit all non-Exchequer receipts to entitled parties within 14 days from the end of the last accountancy period. 99 per cent.
To effect a reconciliation of all outstanding financial penalties on a monthly basis. 100 per cent.
To reply to letter pleas within one working day of the court. 99 per cent.
To order social enquiry and other reports within one working day of the court. 99 per cent.
1134WTo complete probation, community service, compensation and fines supervision orders within two working days of the court. 99 per cent.
To issue juror citations in the first instance at least 21 days prior to a jury sitting/trial. 99 per cent.
To reply to all letter inquiries except those which require extensive investigation within two working days of receipt. 97 per cent.