The administration of the Crown Court: thirty-fifth report of session 2008-09 report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

House of Commons papers 357 2008-09

Corporate Author:: Great Britain Parliament House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts
Author:: Edward Leigh (chairman)
Publisher:: TSO (The Stationery Office)

In 2007, the Crown Court received from magistrates' courts 87,000 cases for trial, 40,000 cases for sentencing and 13,000 appeals by defendants. HM Courts Service, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, administers the Crown Court, providing its estate, staff and IT. In 2007-08, the Service spent around £380 million to operate the Crown Court, including paying for the judges who hear all Crown Court cases. Under the direction of judges, the Service's staff allocate dates when cases are to be heard in court (known as listing) and manage the progress of cases to trial. In 2008, a new Board was established to provide leadership and broad direction for the Service. HM Courts Service is likely to achieve its overall target for timely commencement of Crown Court cases in 2008-09, which will be the first time since it was established in April 2005. The Service will not, however, meet its target for commencing cases committed for trial which arise when a defendant opts to have a case heard in the Crown Court, or magistrates decide that this should happen. Performance varies widely across the Service's 24 areas. The Service is facing a tight budgetary position and Crown Court workload is forecast to increase until 2011. If it is to reduce further the time taken to commence cases and provide a good service in all areas, it must make better use of the Crown Court's estate, staff and IT.

Extent	[2], 17, Ev 15p.	ISBN	9780215539816
Size	N/A	Price	£10.00
Binding	Paperback	Published	09 Jul 2009
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges