HL Deb 08 May 2001 vol 625 cc153-4WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the average period of time within which appeals have been determined by the England and Scottish Employment Appeal Tribunals during each of the past ten years. [HL2012]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville:

Average length of time (in months) from receipt of the appeal to date of hearing for appeals at the end of each judicial year— England and Wales
Hearing type
Prelim Full
July 1993 — 24
July 1994 — 22
July 1995 — 15
July 1996 — 8
July 1997 — 5
July 1998 4 6
July 1999 4 8
July 2000 6 12

The Employment Tribunals Service does not hold the information requested on the average period of time in which appeals are determined. However, the table is an indication of the length of time at the end of each judicial year, that appeals were taking, from receipt, until reaching (a) a preliminary hearing and then, where required, going on to (b) a full hearing in England and Wales.

Due to the smaller number of appeals dealt with in Scotland, the average length of time taken for cases to reach a full hearing is 4 months.

Figures for the length of time taken to reach a preliminary hearing are not available before 1998.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What period of time they consider reasonable within which the Employment Appeal Tribunals should determine appeals. [HL2013]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Employment Appeal Tribunal considers a reasonable waiting time for appeals to come to a preliminary or a full hearing to be within four and eight months respectively. However, due to the complexity of individual appeals and the need for proper judicial consideration, it is not possible to ensure that specific periods of time are achieved in individual cases if justice is to be done.