§ Lord Dubsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment has been made of the enforcement procedures review which was due to end in June. [HL3620]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)We have been engaged in a comprehensive review of the enforcement of civil court judgments since 1998 and the first phase ended in June 2000. In that phase we have examined the present methods available for enforcement of county court and High Court judgments; assessed their effectiveness; and identified what changes would be necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the current methods of enforcement.
Copies of the paper on this work have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. It outlines the conclusions reached to date. Many of the proposals have already been exposed in consultation. This paper provides information on the current state of play of the enforcement review. The proposals remain subject to refinement, particularly as we examine in more detail 68WA the issues arising from the second phase of the review. Its terms of reference are to implement costed recommendations (including the production of a unified set of rules of court for enforcement); and to identify in the light of the amended procedures and revised powers of bailiffs the type of agent(s) or form of agency which should be responsible for carrying out those enforcement procedures; and to make costed recommendations.
I am also pleased to announce that Professor Beatson has now submitted to me his Independent Review of Bailiff Law: Report, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. This report will inform the work of the second phase of the review.
It is the Government's intention to issue a White Paper after the review is complete. It will also cover some issues which arise in the enforcement of the orders of the criminal courts.