NCJ Number
140749
Journal
Research Bulletin Issue: 30 Dated: (1991) Pages: 50-54
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The management information system (MIS) for England's magistrate courts is described in relation to the time taken to complete a case.
Abstract
Case processing time is an important measure of a court's output. It is important to the defendant, whether in custody or on bail, and to the prosecution, since witnesses become less reliable over time. Court proceedings that take a long time to complete, particularly those involving repeat hearings, have resource implications for legal aid, the police, the prison system, and courts. As with other MIS indicators, magistrate courts can use the waiting time indicator to monitor their performance and compare it with other courts. This indicator, however, has been criticized as being too complex and difficult to understand. The derivation of the waiting time indicator is detailed, and problems and future developments associated with its use are examined. 5 references and 1 table