§ Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the annual costs of Crown court proceedings where the defendant has elected trial by jury were in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [28429]
§ Mr. WillsThis information is not available in the format requested. However, the most recent estimate of the average cost of contested Crown court proceedings is £21,250 per case, falling to £3,550 in proceedings where a guilty plea is entered. 15,500 defendants elected to be tried by a jury in the year to September 2001, and it is known that many who so elect later enter a guilty plea.