HC Deb 22 May 2000 vol 350 cc391-2W
Mr. Garnier

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much the Lord Chancellor's Department spent on opinion research in the financial year 1999–2000 [123253]

Jane Kennedy

The Lord Chancellor's Department spent a total of £224,794 on opinion survey research in the financial year 1999–2000. The figure comprises the costs of 12 items of research, all of which relate to the Department's role as a service provider, to new initiatives such as the Community Legal Service or to areas of policy interest.

Mr. Garnier

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list opinion research projects undertaken on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department in the financial year 1999–2000 itemising(a) focus group research, (b) quantitative surveys and (c) other market research surveys and in each case stating when and where the results were published. [123254]

Jane Kennedy

The list of opinion research items undertaken by the Lord Chancellor's Department during the financial year 1999–2000 is as follows. All the research listed relates to Departmental initiatives; areas of policy interest; or client satisfaction research required for Business Plans or Chartermark controls.

LCD Opinion Research Items 1999–2000Focus Group Research Two Market Research Projects—Community Legal service Commissioned through the Central Office of Information in connection with the development and introduction of the Community Legal Service. Both projects—Strategy Development Research; and CLS Quality Mark & Brand Identity evaluation—included focus group research. This research was part of the development of the Community Legal Service and was not published. Research Project: New Public Management & the Administration of Justice in Magistrates' Courts Research to describe, analyse and evaluate changes to the Magistrates' Courts Service brought about by the Police and the Magistrates' Courts Act 1994, and the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. It includes six focus group studies of members of Court Users Committees and core user groups. This project is still underway. Consideration about publication will be given on receipt of the final report, which is likely to be in the autumn.Quantitative Surveys Quality of Service (User Reaction) Survey Survey of customer perceptions using data gathered by way of a questionnaire distributed to Magistrates' Courts users. Processing of the data was completed in-house and the results released in Information Bulletins. Office for National Statistics Omnibus Module: Legal Problems The Department included three questions on the extent of civil legal problems, the seriousness of particular types of problems and people's experiences in seeking legal advice in the Office for National Statistics Omnibus Module. It is expected that the results will be published this year. They will be placed in the data archive at the University of Essex. Customer Service Surveys The Court Service has carried out local customer satisfaction surveys every two years in Crown Court centres, the Crown Office, the Criminal Appeal Office, county courts and tribunals by the Court Service since 1998. Each survey is undertaken in-house on a local basis with no external costs. The results are published in the public area of the local court. Juror Satisfaction Pilot Survey Recently serving jurors have been asked about their level of satisfaction with their treatment in the criminal justice system. The results were used to set a target for this area within the new Criminal Justice System Business Plan.Other Market Research Surveys Market Research: Provision of Information Meetings A study has been completed by KPMG in order to assess potential interest in the private sector in the provision of information meetings under Part II of the Family Law Act 1996. It is not intended that this report will be published. Research Project: Alternative Dispute Resolution in Commercial Cases A study has been commissioned to assess the impact of Commercial Court ADR orders on the outcome of cases in which they are made; and the influence of the emphasis of ADR in the Commercial Court on the conduct of commercial litigation. It includes interviews (personal or telephone) with private practice practitioners, in-house lawyers and parties. Publication of the report of the research is expected this year. Research Project: Factors Affecting the Decision to Apply for Silk and Judicial Office A study has been commissioned to identify the factors which encourage or deter applicants from under-represented groups to apply for appointment as Queen's Counsel and judicial office. It is based on questionnaires and interviews with applicants and potential applicants. Publication of the report of the research is expected this year. Research Project: Identifying Thresholds—Arrangements for Contact in the Context of Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Concerns This research is based on two sets of interviews. The first is with professionals to identify whether and how they draw distinctions between different forms of contact. The second set is with children and adults who have had a range of contact experiences in order to identify their expectations and satisfaction with arrangements. It will also investigate users' views on the way contact provisions could develop. This project is underway and consideration on publication will be given on receipt of final report in 2001. Research Project: Monitoring the Rise in the Small Claims Limit A study to provide follow-on information from the earlier research, published in 1997, on the small claims court. This research involves interviews with litigants. The project is underway and consideration on publication will be given on receipt of final report in 2002.