Constitutional Affairs written question – answered at on 10 March 2005.
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs
(1) how many courts were held each week at Chorley magistrates court in each month in 2004;
(2) how many cases were transferred from Chorley magistrates court to other courts in 2004; and for what reasons;
(3) how many court cases have been heard outside Chorley since 1 January where the defendant resided in the Chorley constituency;
(4) what guidance he issues on the appropriate number of clerks to run a fully operational magistrates court;
(5) how many clerks are working in magistrates courts in South Lancashire.
The information is as follows:
(1) Actual figures are not available, however, a typical weekly pattern for Chorley magistrates court in 2004 was as follows:
Court | Number of sittings per week |
---|---|
Adult | 14 |
Youth | 1–2 |
Licensing | 1 |
Family | (32)1 |
Local authority | 1 |
Private prosecutions | (32)1 |
(32) Per month.
(2) Actual figures for cases transferred from Chorley magistrates are not available. I am advised that trial cases may be sent following consultation with both parties to either Ormskirk magistrates court or Leyland magistrates court if a trial can be listed earlier.
(3) Actual figures for court cases heard outside Chorley are not available. I am advised that most cases when the defendant resides in Chorley are heard in Chorley.
(4) There is no guidance issued centrally and this is a matter for the Lancashire magistrates courts committee (MCC) to determine, as it is with each of the other 41 MCCs in England and Wales.
(5) There are seven full time legal advisers, two-part time legal advisers, a deputy clerk and a countywide justices' clerk in South Lancashire.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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