04/03/2010
Court Service Consults On 'Cash Limit'
Northern Ireland's Court Service is launching a consultation into a proposal to raise the limit for bringing cases to the County Court from £15,000 to a new £50,000 ceiling.
Other options are an increase to £25,000 or an unlimited jurisdiction.
The consultation exercise is also seeking views on the financial limits of the District Judges’ Court and Small Claims Courts. The County Court jurisdiction was last raised 16 years ago.
Ministry of Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice MP, said: "This is an important issue and we felt it best to launch the consultation now so that the new Northern Ireland Justice Minister will have the opportunity to take an early decision on a matter which could greatly improve access to justice for court users in Northern Ireland.
"The proposal to raise the jurisdictional level would mean cases better suited to a County Court hearing being directed away from the High Court.
"This would speed up the flow of cases coming to both venues and increase access to justice at a more local level," she said.
(BMcC/GK)
Other options are an increase to £25,000 or an unlimited jurisdiction.
The consultation exercise is also seeking views on the financial limits of the District Judges’ Court and Small Claims Courts. The County Court jurisdiction was last raised 16 years ago.
Ministry of Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice MP, said: "This is an important issue and we felt it best to launch the consultation now so that the new Northern Ireland Justice Minister will have the opportunity to take an early decision on a matter which could greatly improve access to justice for court users in Northern Ireland.
"The proposal to raise the jurisdictional level would mean cases better suited to a County Court hearing being directed away from the High Court.
"This would speed up the flow of cases coming to both venues and increase access to justice at a more local level," she said.
(BMcC/GK)
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11 November 2021
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27 March 2018
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28 November 2002
Court Service opens information centre
The criminal justice agency's first-ever Northern Ireland Court Service Information Centre has been officially opened today. The information centre, which is located in Bedford Street, Belfast, is the first for a criminal justice agency in Northern Ireland and will provide a central information point for the public.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.