HC Deb 29 July 1998 vol 317 cc304-5W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will establish performance measures for small claims courts for the(a) implementation of orders and (b) response times to correspondence from the public. [51850]

Mr. Hoon

The Court Service is not responsible for implementing court orders. This is for the parties to decide. However, the Court Service aims to prepare court orders and reply to correspondence from the public within 5 working days, but no longer than 10 working days. The target for 1997–98 was 92 per cent. within 5 working days, although the courts' achieved 98.3 per cent. This includes the performance of all county courts and the Supreme Court Group.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the enforcement procedures for orders made by small claims courts; and if he will make a statement. [51849]

Mr. Hoon

The Lord Chancellor recognises that there are widespread concerns about the enforcement of civil court judgments, including judgments resulting from the small claims procedure.

For that reason, the Lord Chancellor has directed that a Review be carried out to examine the effectiveness of current methods of enforcement, identify changes necessary to enhance their effectiveness and make recommendations. The full Terms of Reference are set out in my reply of 25 March 1998, Official Report, column 141–42.