HC Deb 11 March 2002 vol 381 cc774-6W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the size of the annual case load is in each type of court in Northern Ireland; and what her estimate of the annual case load based on the proposals contained in the Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill is. [39664]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The annual case load for the years 1999 and 2000 for the various tiers of court in Northern Ireland are shown in the tables. The case load figures for the 2001 calendar year are currently being compiled.

It is not anticipated that the proposals contained in the Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill will result in significant variation in overall case load size. There will be a redistribution of business as between the magistrates courts and the youth court consequent on the proposal to bring 17-year-olds within the ambit of the youth court. It is estimated that the business of the youth court will increase by some 50 per cent.

However, it is also expected that, as the pre-court restorative justice diversionary conferences provided for come on line, there may be reductions in the numbers of cases appearing before the youth courts. It is not possible to estimate the numbers of such reductions at this time.

Magistrates courts business dealt with–1999
Case Load
Civil applications1 38,664
Criminal defendants2 50,702
Total 89,366
1 Combines civil applications (33,562) and children order applications (5,102).
2 Combines criminal defendants (48,777) and youth defendants (1,925)
Business dealt with 1999–County courts, Crown courts, High Court
Case Load
County courts
Civil busines 45,440
Criminal business 2,451
Total 47,891
Crown courts
Civil busines 103
Criminal business 900
Total 1,003
High Court
Civil busines 21,045
Criminal business 53
Total 21,098
Magistrates courts business dealt with–2000
Case Load
Civil applications1 38,604
Criminal defendants2 50,034
Total 88,638
1 Combines civil applications (33,541) and children order applications (5,063).
2Combines criminal defendants (48,042) and youth defendants (1,992)
Business dealt with 2000–County courts, Crown courts, High Court
Case Load
County courts
Civil busines 46,368
Criminal business 2,216
Total 48,584
Business dealt with 2000–County courts, Crown courts, High Court
Case Load
Crown courts
Civil busines 215
Criminal business 963
Total 1,178
High Court
Civil busines 21,410
Criminal business 69
Total 21,479

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