MoJ 3Q court data shows 28% rise in children involved in public law applications

There were 7,700 children involved in public law applications made in the third quarter of 2011 – a 28% increase on the same period in 2010, government statistics have revealed.

The data from the Ministry of Justice also showed that the average length of time for care proceedings was 55 weeks.

The information was included in the MoJ's regular quarterly court statistics, the scope of which has been widened by the Ministry.

For the first time, the data details the average duration of civil and family cases at every County Court. It also provides the duration of criminal cases at every Crown Court and local magistrates’ court group.

In addition to the length of time for care proceedings, the new timeliness statistics for July to September 2011 show:

• Hearings for small claims in civil courts took place on average 30 weeks after the claim was originally made. The figure was 57 weeks for higher value cases
• The average offence to completion time for indictable/triable either-way cases was 152 days.

The MoJ insisted that the statistics supported ministers’ case for “comprehensive” reform of the justice system.

Courts Minister Jonathan Djanogly said: “The figures released today show that sometimes the court process can simply be too time-consuming. That is why we have a comprehensive reform programme underway.

“There are two ways we can solve this problem. Firstly, by giving more people the opportunity to take charge of resolving their own disputes through mediation, rather than using lawyers and a judge. This can be quicker and less stressful for all parties, especially where children are involved.

“Secondly, by improving technology, processes and ways of working in the civil, family and criminal justice systems.”

Djanogly insisted that the government would reduce the time it took to get results, and repeated its vow to see care proceedings completed within six months in line with the findings of the Family Justice Review.

For access to the data, click here.

Philip Hoult