§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what percentage of either-way cases defendants elected for jury trial in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [29647]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI have been asked to respond to this question, and would refer the hon. Member to the figures and the statement given in reply to his related question.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in(a) how many and (b) what percentage of either-way cases (i) magistrates declined jurisdiction, (ii) defendants consented to magistrates jurisdiction and (iii) defendants elected for jury trial in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [29648]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI have been asked to respond to this question.
The following table, drawn from Crown Prosecution Service records, shows the number and proportion of defendants in either-way cases who were committed to the Crown court at their own election or on magistrates direction. No separate record is maintained of cases in which defendants consented to magistrates jurisdiction.
These figures show a steady decline in the proportion of either-way cases reaching the Crown court by way of defendant election up to 1997–98, followed by a period of relative stability over the last four years, when these proceedings remained in the region of 29–32 per cent. of all either-way cases.
The Government are committed to achieving improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System and is considering Sir Robin Auld's recommendations contained in his "Review of the Criminal Courts" which include removal of the right to elect jury trial and the introduction of an intermediate tribunal. The Government have been actively seeking the views of stakeholders on these and other recommendations contained in the "Review" and will take decisions following the conclusion of the consultation process at the end of January.
1185W
Either-way proceedings in the Crown court 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 1 Defendant elections 35,584 32,865 25,249 26,612 24,768 21,472 21,653 18,391 18,572 16,351 7,605 as percentage of either cases 36.5 37.5 35.0 34.2 33.1 30.5 27.9 29.4 31.7 29.6 30.5 Magistrates directions 61,867 54,738 46,954 51,181 50,158 49,026 56,069 44,269 40,097 38,914 17,350 as percentage of either cases 63.5 62.5 65.0 65.8 66.9 69.5 72.1 70.6 68.3 70.4 69.5 Total either-way cases 97,451 87,603 72,203 77,793 74,926 70,498 77,722 62,660 58,669 55,265 24,955 1 April to September