HC Deb 30 January 1997 vol 289 c342W
Mr. Hanson

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the consultation process relating to the introduction of fees for eviction warrants suspension hearings; and what notice was given of these fees. [12664]

Mr. Streeter

Copies of the proposed changes to civil fees were sent in July last year to the Law Society, the Bar Council, HM Council of Circuit Judges, the Association of District Judges, the Chief Taxing Master, the Civil Court Users Association, the Advice Services Alliance, the National Consumer Council, the Legal Action Group, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Association of Chambers of Commerce, the Institute of Directors, and the CBI.

Mr. Hanson

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of charges for eviction warrant hearings. [12663]

Mr. Streeter

Defendants are encouraged to put their case before a possession order is granted against them, rather than to apply to suspend a possession warrant on grounds of which they could have informed the court at the proper time. Except in those cases where possession is mandatory, possession is never granted without a hearing at which the defendant has an opportunity to put his case before the court. The £10 fee is to be seen in the context that it is estimated to cost the Court Service over £30 to process and hear each application to suspend a possession warrant.

Forward to