Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2000. It was answered by David Lock (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 December 2000 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, What assessment he has made of the change in the workload of (a) magistrates and (b) judges as a result of the proposal to restrict trial by jury. - Including figures. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the change in the work load of (a) magistrates and (b) judges as a result of the proposal to restrict trial by jury. [141595] Mr. Leigh: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the effect on the administration of the court system of restricting trial by jury. [141596] Mr. Lock: The proposal to restrict trial by jury will increase the magistrates' current work load of nearly 2 million criminal proceedings a year by about 14,000. The work load of the Crown court will consequently decrease significantly, even if account is taken of a number of appeals on mode of trial and an increase in appeals against conviction from defendants previously electing for trial in the Crown court.

Secondary information