Written question asked by Vera Baird (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 April 2006. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 May 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Magistrates Courts

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the sum spent in 2005 on trials and hearings in magistrates courts that did not go ahead.

Answer: The National Audit Office (NAO) report estimated that ineffective trials and hearings cost the criminal justice system £173 million and, of this figure, the courts was responsible for £21 million. The defence was responsible for £96 million, the police for £24 million, the Crown Prosecution Service for £24 million and the police and the CPS together for a further £8 million. The NAO found examples of good practice and the recommendations will help improve performance. We are working with the police and the CPS to improve performance in the magistrates courts. The proportion of ineffective trials has declined from 31 per cent. in 2002 to 21 per cent. in September 2005.

Secondary information