§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost of a case in the juvenile court from first hearing to completion. [10867]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe unit cost for court time for criminal cases in the youth court is estimated to be £140 in 1995–96, or £180 where an application for legal aid is made. These unit costs are average costs, and cover both trials and guilty pleas. These figures are based on the total revenue provision for the magistrates' courts, including local authorities' 20 per cent. contribution, and case load figures and weightings derived from the management information system for magistrates courts which are currently being reviewed. They do not take into account capital costs.
For defence costs paid through legal aid, it is not possible to identify separately the costs of proceedings in the youth court from all criminal cases dealt with in the magistrates courts. Most cases are remunerated under the standard fee scheme, and the level of the fee will depend on the nature and complexity of the proceedings. The average cost of a magistrates courts criminal bill in 1995–96 is £460.