Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the recommended amount of time per day that judges should sit in courts. [138864]
§ Jane KennedyThere is no single recommended or prescribed sitting time for judges, as they are required to work outside sitting hours for other purposes, for example, reading or preparing case papers, preparing reserved judgments, dealing with listing directions, liaison with magistrates and chairing meetings of local user committees.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average amount of time per day spent sitting in court by judges(a) nationally and (b) at courts in Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [138865]
§ Jane KennedyInformation relating to the average length of courtroom sitting days in given in the table.
42W
Average sitting days (hours) Area Crown court1 County court2 1997 Gloucestershire 3.94 5.08 England and Wales 4.46 4.74 1998 Gloucestershire 4.12 5.59 England and Wales 4.44 4.77
Average sitting days (hours) Area Crown court12 County court2 1999 Gloucestershire 3.77 5.98 England and Wales 4.45 4.74 20003 Gloucestershire 4.08 4.28 England and Wales 4.39 4.75 1 Figures are expressed as decimals—e.g. 4.75 hours = 4 hours 45 minutes 2 The Crown court figures relate to all types of judge. The county court figures cover only circuit judge level sittings 3 Period covers January to September 2000 Notes
1. Only Gloucester Crown court sits within Gloucestershire.
2. Only Gloucester county court hears circuit judge level trials within Gloucestershire.