Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Monday, 3 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 February 2003. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Thursday, 13 February 2003 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many youth court cases in 2002-03 have had to be abandoned because the accused and witnesses failed to turn up.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many youth court cases in 2002-03 have had to be abandoned because the accused and witnesses failed to turn up. [96006] Yvette Cooper: 81,437 trials were listed in the magistrates courts during the period April 2002 to September 2002, of which 2,875 (3.53 per cent.) did not continue due to the absence or withdrawal of a witness. 6,780 trials (8.32 per cent.) became ineffective due to the absence of the defendant. It is not possible to break down these figures into those relating specifically to youth cases. My Department is currently undertaking a Case Preparation Project with CJS partners, which includes work on identifying reasons why defendants and witnesses fail to turn up for hearings.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 96006; 399 c980W;399 c976W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Administration of justice Attendance Witnesses Trials Youth courts
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk