Vol. 467 No. 7
300 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Justice the cost of criminal legal aid for each of the years 1994 and 1995; the number of cases that were granted free legal aid during these years; the average payment made; and the largest individual payment made. [14487/96]
In 1994, the cost of criminal legal aid was £7,043,000 and in 1995 it was £7,988,000. The statistical information sought by the Deputy regarding the number of cases in 1994 and 1995 in which legal aid was granted is not readily available. The criminal legal aid system is geared towards the payment of solicitors and barristers on foot of claims and there may be a number of claims arising in an individual case. The information requested in relation to cases could only be compiled by the allocation of a disproportionate amount of staff time which could not be justified. However, the following information is available:
|
1994 |
1995 |
|
|
Number of claims paid: District Court |
23,985 |
27,288 |
|
Number of claims paid: Circuit and Higher Courts |
1,974 |
2,488 |
|
Average payment per claim: District Court |
£175 |
£172 |
|
Average payment per claim: Circuit and Higher Courts |
£1,260 |
£1,118 |
|
Largest individual payment made |
£30,000 |
£45,350 |
|
(This amount represents the payments made to an individual during the year in respect of one particular case) |
(excluding VAT and Retention Tax) |
(excluding VAT and Retention Tax) |
