HC Deb 05 June 1997 vol 295 cc216-7W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in what percentage of cases heard in court the accused conducted his or her own defence in the last three years. [1939]

Mr. Hoon

The information requested is not available for cases heard in the magistrates' courts. The proportion of all defendants indicted for trial in the Crown Court who were not legally represented (either under legal aid or privately) was 0.8 per cent. in 1994, 0.7 per cent. in 1995 and 0.8 per cent. in 1996. Of those defendants in cases for sentence in the Crown Court, 15 per cent. were not legally represented (either under legal aid or privately) in 1994. The corresponding figures for 1995 and 1996 were also 15 per cent. Of those appellants who appealed to the Crown Court against their conviction and/or sentence in the magistrates' courts, 38 per cent. were not legally represented either through legal aid or privately in 1994. In 1995 and 1996, the figures were 38 per cent. and 34 per cent. respectively.