Written question asked by Bill Etherington (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 1997. It was answered by Gary Streeter (Conservative) on Monday, 17 March 1997 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: What assessment he has made of the impact of new county court fees to be charged on debtors under the provisions of the County Court Fees (Amendment) Order 1996.

Answer: Mr. Etherington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact of new county court fees to be charged on debtors under the provisions of the County Court Fees (Amendment) Order 1996; and if he will make a statement. [19494] Mr. Streeter: Following the judgement in R v. The Lord Chancellor ex parte Witham, the Lord Chancellor has decided that litigants in the county courts and in family proceedings should be placed on the same footing as litigants in non-family proceedings in the Supreme Court. He has therefore made orders restoring the exemption and remission provisions which applied before 15 January 1997. As a result, most doctors on low incomes will not be liable to pay court fees.

Secondary information