Action to be taken on Administrative Court delays

Justice minister Jack Straw will tackle delays in the listing and hearing of public law cases in the Administrative Court following a campaign by law and justice charity Public Law Project (PLP).

PLP sent a letter before claim to Straw last year, stating the delays were unlawful and in breach of the right to access to justice under Art 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the duty to ensure that there is an efficient and effective court system under s 1 of the Courts Act 2003.
Last week, the Administrative Court confirmed to PLP that more judges will be available for hearings, and some judges may be asked to sit during the summer vacation to deal with applications for the reconsideration of decisions under s 103A of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.
Two more High Court judges are to sit in the court, and more deputy High Court judges will be recruited and trained in the summer.

PLP chair, Steve Cragg, says: “PLP has been very concerned about the lengthy delays in getting cases on in the court. 

“The position seems to have got worse over the last couple of years. We decided we needed to bring pressure to bear and if necessary take the matter to court to sort things out. PLP’s action seems to have played an important part in remedying the problem.”