§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many legal claims have been commenced in the courts but not pursued by reason of the £80 fee charged on the filing of allocation questionnaires. [HL4318]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)Not known.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the £80 fee charged on the filing of allocation questionnaires in court cases acts to deter poorer litigants from pursuing legal actions. [HL4319]
§ The Lord ChancellorPoorer litigants continue either to be automatically exempt from paying fees or able to apply for fee remission or reduction. I sympathise with the, concerns that have been raised about the amount of the allocation fee in very small claims and I am giving this issue urgent consideration.