Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023

Public bill · Government · Presented

It would give people involved in court cases that drag on too long a way to have that delay formally recognised, and in some cases to get compensation. It would create a new assessment system, led by a Chief Court Delays Assessor and other assessors, to review complaints and decide whether the right to a timely hearing has been breached, with a route to the Circuit Court if the person does not accept the assessment. It matters because it gives people a clearer remedy for excessive court delay and puts pressure on the system to deal with cases within a reasonable time.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for the right of persons who are party to proceedings, where such proceedings are not concluded within a reasonable time, to seek a declaration of that fact and, in certain cases, compensation and, for that purpose to make provision for the making by such persons of applications for such a declaration and compensation and for the appointment of a Chief Court Delays Assessor and Court Delays Assessors to assess such applications; to provide for the making, in certain circumstances, of an application to the Circuit Court for such a declaration and compensation; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 30 August 2024