Written question asked by Keith Hill (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 1997. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 1997 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept;Court Service

Question: On how many occasions a party to a case which is subject to automatic reference to small claims arbitration has (a) applied for and (b) been granted an application for recission of the reference in the last 12 months. - Includes text of letter from Michael Huebner of Court Service.

Answer: Mr. Hill: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions a party to a case which is subject to automatic reference to small claims arbitration has (a) applied for and (b) been granted an application for recission of the reference in the last 12 months. [6229] Mr. Hoon: The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Keith Hill, dated 7 July 1997: The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of occasions a party whose case has been referred to automatic small claims arbitration have applied for, and been granted, recission. The number of occasions in the 12 months from April 1996 up to March 1997 when a party has applied for recission to automatic arbitration is 738. The actual number who were granted recission is 622.

Secondary information