Magistrates’ Court Bulletin
July to September 2010

Contents

Summary

During Jul – Sep 2010:

There were 1,182 scheduled magistrates’ sittings of which:

Criminal 787
Youth 136
Family 259

There were 54 additional magistrates’ sittings of which:

Criminal 47
Youth 1
Family 6

There were 59 special magistrates’ sittings of which:

Criminal 59

13,872 new adult criminal defendants were received in court and 13,351 adult defendants were disposed of during the period. (Figure 1)
The majority of prosecutions disposed in the adult court were brought by PSNI/ PPS.

Figure 1: Percentage of adults entered and disposed of in the court divisions

  Adult disposed Adult entered
Belfast 31% 33%
Londonderry 10% 10%
Antrim 13% 13%
Fermanagh 14% 14%
Armagh 12% 10%
Ards 11% 10%
Craigavon 10% 10%

The volume of adult business was highest in the Division of Belfast.

The average waiting time in the adult criminal court from first hearing to disposal was 6 weeks. (Figure 2)

979 new defendants were entered in the youth court and 849 youth defendants were disposed of in the youth court.

The average waiting time in the youth court from first hearing to disposal was 12 weeks.

1,573 new civil applications were entered and 1,388 civil applications were disposed of.

The average length of time for a case to progress through the civil court was 9 weeks from date of issue to disposal.

Figure 2: Waiting times in weeks in adult magistrates’ courts (1st hearing to disposal)

Belfast 5.2
Londonderry 6.3
Antrim 6.7
Fermanagh 4.9
Armagh 8.8
Ards 8.2
Craigavon 7.6

Table 1.1: Scheduled court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

  Adult criminal day Youth criminal day Family day
Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time
Belfast Laganside 257 03:23:57 39 04:02:41 68 03:26:45
Total 257 03:23:57 39 04:02:41 68 03:26:45
Londonderry Limavady 13 04:26:32   .   .
Magherafelt 18 02:48:53 6 00:52:30 3 00:46:40
Londonderry 54 05:02:46 9 03:39:26 20 03:39:30
Total 85 04:28:52 15 02:32:40 23 03:16:57
Antrim Antrim 20 04:17:42 6 02:40:50 6 03:36:40
Ballymena 23 03:42:36 6 02:01:40 17 03:26:28
Larne 13 03:56:32 3 01:00:00 5 03:06:00
Coleraine  37 05:12:25 6 03:25:50 12 04:16:15
Total 93 04:27:50 21 02:28:05 40 03:40:22
Fermanagh & Tyrone Dungannon 39 04:12:49 6 02:29:10 10 05:04:30
Strabane 24 02:37:42 3 00:55:00 3 01:25:00
Omagh 29 03:38:26 6 03:55:00 13 03:53:32
Enniskillen 22 04:50:27 6 02:44:10 3 02:16:40
Total 114 03:51:18 21 02:44:31 29 03:52:37
Armagh & South Down Armagh 20 03:56:45 6 02:19:10 3 01:50:00
Banbridge@Newry 15 04:15:40 1 04:30:00 2 02:22:30
Newry 38 03:36:18 5 02:43:00 16 03:33:07
Total 73 03:50:00 12 02:40:00 21 03:11:40
Ards Bangor 20 03:39:30   . 6 02:16:40
Downpatrick 25 04:52:36 6 04:16:40 3 04:10:00
Newtownards 47 02:55:19 11 02:28:38 38 02:15:07
Total 92 03:36:47 17 03:06:45 47 02:22:39
Craigavon Lisburn 14 04:54:38 2 02:50:00 5 05:49:00
Craigavon 37 03:26:04 5 03:19:00 18 01:50:50
Lisburn@Craigavon 22 03:46:08 4 03:26:15 8 03:15:00
Total 73 03:49:06 11 03:16:21 31 02:50:58

Table1.1a: Scheduled court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts for Northern Ireland

  Adult criminal day Youth criminal day Family day
Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time
Northern Ireland 787 03:48:43 136 03:08:03 259 03:13:44

A court sitting day is counted as any day where the judiciary sit in court. It does not include time in chambers or days where the judiciary are sitting in chambers.

Table 1.2: Additional court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

  Adult criminal day Youth criminal day Family day
Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time
Belfast Laganside   .   . 1 04:10:00
Total   .   . 1 04:10:00
Londonderry Londonderry 2 00:55:00   .   .
Total 2 00:55:00   .   .
Antrim Antrim   .   . 1 00:15:00
Larne   .   . 2 02:07:30
Coleraine  2 04:55:00   .   .
Total 2 04:55:00   . 3 01:30:00
Fermanagh & Tyrone Dungannon 2 03:50:00   .   .
Omagh   .   . 1 00:12:00
Enniskillen 3 03:03:20   .   .
Total 5 03:22:00   . 1 00:12:00
Armagh & South Down Armagh 6 03:59:10   .   .
Banbridge@Newry 2 01:55:00   .   .
Newry 6 03:07:40 1 00:30:00   .
Total 14 03:19:21 1 00:30:00   .
Ards Downpatrick 5 05:05:00   .   .
Newtownards 11 01:51:21   . 1 03:30:00
Total 16 02:51:52   . 1 03:30:00
Craigavon Lisburn 2 03:15:00   .   .
Craigavon 6 01:37:30   .   .
Total 8 02:01:52   .   .

Table 1.2a: Additional court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts for Northern Ireland

  Adult criminal day Youth criminal day Family day
Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time
Northern Ireland 47 02:55:01 1 00:30:00 6 02:03:40

A court sitting day is counted as any day where the judiciary sit in court. It does not include time in chambers or days where the judiciary are sitting in chambers

A court sitting day is counted as any day where the judiciary sit in court. It does not include time in chambers or days where the judiciary are sitting in chambers.

Table 1.3: Special court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

  Adult criminal day
Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time
Londonderry Londonderry 8 00:46:15
Total 8 00:46:15
Antrim Antrim 8 00:29:22
Ballymena 2 00:27:30
Total 10 00:29:00
Fermanagh & Tyrone Omagh 12 01:16:10
Total 12 01:16:10
Armagh & South Down Newry 9 01:00:33
Total 9 01:00:33
Ards Newtownards 9 00:35:00
Total 9 00:35:00
Craigavon Lisburn 4 01:07:30
Craigavon 7 00:52:51
Total 11 00:58:10

Table 1.3a: Special court sitting days & average court sitting times in the magistrates' courts for Northern Ireland

  Adult criminal day
Number of court sitting days Average court sitting time
Northern Ireland 59 00:52:06

A court sitting day is counted as any day where the judiciary sit in court. It does not include time in chambers or days where the judiciary are sitting in chambers.

Table 2.1 Adult criminal defendants received in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Belfast Laganside Courts 3560 980 77 4617
Division total 3560 980 77 4617
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 617 119 12 748
Limavady Court Office 227 76 5 308
Magherafelt Court Office 223 53 16 292
Division total 1067 248 33 1348
Antrim Antrim Court Office 553 136 12 701
Coleraine Court Office 531 151 19 701
Ballymena Court Office 138 54   192
Larne Court Office 100 43 1 144
Division total 1322 384 32 1738
Fermanagh and Tyrone  Omagh Court Office 423 92 36 551
Strabane Court Office 179 63 11 253
Enniskillen Court Office 346 102 15 463
Dungannon Court Office 529 149 4 682
Division total 1477 406 66 1949
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 197 99 21 317
Banbridge Court Office 211 40 8 259
Newry Court Office 571 224 30 825
Division total 979 363 59 1401
Ards Newtownards Court Office 507 62 14 583
Downpatrick Court Office 399 80 8 487
Bangor Court Office 311 39 7 357
Division total 1217 181 29 1427
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 721 87 17 825
Lisburn Court Office 327 216 24 567
Division total 1048 303 41 1392

Table 2.1 Adult criminal defendants received in the magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Northern Ireland 10670 2865 337 13872

Table 2.2 Adult criminal defendants disposed of in the magistrates' court by division & venue

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Belfast Laganside Courts 3145 871 73 4089
Divsion total 3145 871 73 4089
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 648 140 12 800
Limavady Court Office 211 65 5 281
Magherafelt Court Office 208 57 16 281
Divsion total 1067 262 33 1362
Antrim Antrim Court Office 425 141 11 577
Coleraine Court Office 534 149 19 702
Ballymena Court Office 197 65   262
Larne Court Office 97 39 1 137
Divsion total 1253 394 31 1678
Fermanagh and Tyrone  Omagh Court Office 373 90 36 499
Strabane Court Office 206 46 11 263
Enniskillen Court Office 294 86 15 395
Dungannon Court Office 512 135 4 651
Divsion total 1385 357 66 1808
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 218 88 21 327
Banbridge Court Office 231 40 7 278
Newry Court Office 761 216 29 1006
Divsion total 1210 344 57 1611
Ards Newtownards Court Office 513 70 13 596
Downpatrick Court Office 389 71 8 468
Bangor Court Office 305 36 7 348
Divsion total 1207 177 28 1412
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 629 89 17 735
Lisburn Court Office 409 223 24 656
Divsion total 1038 312 41 1391

Table 2.2 Adult criminal defendants disposed of in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Northern Ireland 10305 2717 329 13351

Table 2.3: Average waiting times in the adult magistrates' courts by division & venue

  Summons to first hearing (weeks) First hearing to finding (weeks) Finding to disposal (weeks) First hearing to disposal (weeks)
Belfast Laganside Courts 5.45 4.69 .54 5.23
Total 5.45 4.69 .54 5.23
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 4.18 6.31 .92 7.23
Limavady Court Office 4.49 3.14 .48 3.62
Magherafelt Court Office 5.21 5.65 .77 6.42
Total 4.46 5.51 .80 6.30
Antrim Antrim Court Office 4.91 3.17 .41 3.57
Coleraine Court Office 4.77 7.91 .60 8.52
Ballymena Court Office 6.42 10.00 .43 10.43
Larne Court Office 3.65 3.35 .24 3.59
Total 4.96 6.17 .48 6.65
Fermanagh and Tyrone  Omagh Court Office 6.69 3.77 .20 3.98
Strabane Court Office 4.65 3.72 .64 4.37
Enniskillen Court Office 8.65 3.38 .46 3.83
Dungannon Court Office 4.83 5.19 1.14 6.33
Total 6.16 4.19 .66 4.85
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 4.66 6.92 .44 7.36
Banbridge Court Office 3.88 6.89 .49 7.37
Newry Court Office 5.59 9.38 .30 9.68
Total 5.10 8.45 .36 8.81
Ards Newtownards Court Office 5.90 5.85 .63 6.47
Downpatrick Court Office 5.47 10.49 .50 10.99
Bangor Court Office 5.89 6.54 .98 7.52
Total 5.76 7.52 .67 8.20
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 5.55 5.24 .73 5.97
Lisburn Court Office 6.20 8.72 .74 9.45
Total 5.85 6.85 .73 7.59

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

Table 2.3: Average waiting times in the adult magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

  Summons to first hearing (weeks) First hearing to finding (weeks) Finding to disposal (weeks) First hearing to disposal (weeks)
Northern Ireland 5.42 5.87 .59 6.46

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

Table 2.4: Number and type of charges brought for adult defendants disposed of by business area

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
All Offences Against the Person 965 14   979
All Sexual Offences 189     189
All Burglary Offences 137     137
All Robbery Offences 28     28
All Theft Offences 684     684
All Fraud and Forgery Offences 93 159   252
All Criminal Damage Offences 246     246
All Offences Against the State 18     18
All Other Offences 733 197   930
All Drug Offences 359 3   362
All Motoring Offences 4537 138   4675
All Non-Police Offences 61 2073 329 2463
All Breach 115 54   169
Combination of  charges 2140 79   2219
Total 10305 2717 329 13351

Table 2.5: Outcome of adult defendants disposed of by business area

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Committed to the Crown Court 488     488
Plea of guilty on all charges 4718 731   5449
All charges withdrawn 1958 748 3 2709
Fixed penalty default     326 326
Plea not guilty - found guilty on at least one charge 2756 1185   3941
Plea not guilty - acquitted on all charges 385 53   438
Total 10305 2717 329 13351

Table 3.1 Youth defendants received in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Belfast Laganside Courts 387 1   388
Division total 387 1   388
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 71     71
Limavady Court Office 9     9
Magherafelt Court Office 16     16
Division total 96     96
Antrim Antrim Court Office 77 3 3 83
Coleraine Court Office 51 2   53
Ballymena Court Office 4     4
Larne Court Office 5   1 6
Division total 137 5 4 146
Fermanagh and Tyrone  Omagh Court Office 22     22
Strabane Court Office 15     15
Enniskillen Court Office 34     34
Dungannon Court Office 30 1   31
Division total 101 1   102
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 16     16
Banbridge Court Office 9     9
Newry Court Office 25     25
Division total 50     50
Ards Newtownards Court Office 49     49
Downpatrick Court Office 28     28
Bangor Court Office 40     40
Division total 117     117
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 64     64
Lisburn Court Office 16     16
Division total 80     80

Table 3.1 Youth defendants received in the magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Northern Ireland 968 7 4 979

Table 3.2 Youth defendants disposed of in the magistrates' courts by division & venue

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Belfast Laganside Courts 265 1   266
Divsion total 265 1   266
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 59     59
Limavady Court Office 5     5
Magherafelt Court Office 14     14
Divsion total 78     78
Antrim Antrim Court Office 42 3 3 48
Coleraine Court Office 67 3   70
Ballymena Court Office 23     23
Larne Court Office 2 1 1 4
Divsion total 134 7 4 145
Fermanagh and Tyrone  Omagh Court Office 33     33
Strabane Court Office 20     20
Enniskillen Court Office 34     34
Dungannon Court Office 43 1   44
Divsion total 130 1   131
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 14     14
Banbridge Court Office 10     10
Newry Court Office 28     28
Divsion total 52     52
Ards Newtownards Court Office 46     46
Downpatrick Court Office 34     34
Bangor Court Office 24     24
Divsion total 104     104
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 45     45
Lisburn Court Office 28     28
Divsion total 73     73

Table 3.2 Youth defendants disposed of in the magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Northern Ireland 836 9 4 849

Table 3.3: Average waiting times in the youth magistrates' courts by division & venue

  Summons to first hearing (weeks) First hearing to finding (weeks) Finding to disposal (weeks)
Belfast Laganside Courts 3.68 5.82 3.85
Total 3.68 5.82 3.85
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 3.58 7.85 4.57
Limavady Court Office 5.29 3.50 .00
Magherafelt Court Office 5.71 7.76 1.62
Total 4.15 7.55 3.64
Antrim Antrim Court Office 6.33 4.17 1.34
Coleraine Court Office 3.90 11.00 3.86
Ballymena Court Office 3.75 12.79 1.28
Larne Court Office 7.43 4.29 .00
Total 4.75 8.89 2.60
Fermanagh and Tyrone  Omagh Court Office 6.01 9.70 2.25
Strabane Court Office 3.18 10.21 3.51
Enniskillen Court Office 4.68 8.43 1.71
Dungannon Court Office 4.78 9.98 4.11
Total 4.82 9.54 2.90
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 3.80 10.14 3.40
Banbridge Court Office 2.71 13.13 1.63
Newry Court Office 2.76 7.41 2.98
Total 3.01 9.19 2.82
Ards Newtownards Court Office 4.03 8.95 5.08
Downpatrick Court Office 4.89 15.43 2.64
Bangor Court Office 6.60 4.68 5.16
Total 4.95 9.75 4.38
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 4.89 6.24 2.72
Lisburn Court Office 4.11 14.86 3.11
Total 4.57 9.75 2.88

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

Table 3.3: Average waiting times in the youth magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

  Summons to first hearing (weeks) First hearing to finding (weeks) Finding to disposal (weeks)
Northern Ireland 4.31 8.25 3.37

Bench warrants, adjourned generally and deferred sentences excluded

Table 3.4: Number and type of charges brought for youth defendants disposed of by business area

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
All Offences Against the Person 153     153
All Sexual Offences 5     5
All Burglary Offences 25     25
All Robbery Offences 11     11
All Theft Offences 75     75
All Criminal Damage Offences 74     74
All Offences Against the State 1     1
All Other Offences 122 1   123
All Drug Offences 16     16
All Motoring Offences 97     97
All Non-Police Offences 2 6 4 12
All Breach 4 1   5
Combination of  charges 251 1   252
Total 836 9 4 849

Table 3.5: Outcome of youth defendants disposed of by business area

  PSNI/PPS prosecution Departmental prosecution Fixed penalty Total
Committed to the Crown Court 17     17
Plea of guilty on all charges 308 6   314
All charges withdrawn 316 1   317
Fixed penalty default     4 4
Plea not guilty - found guilty on at least one charge 151 1   152
Plea not guilty - acquitted on all charges 44 1   45
Total 836 9 4 849

Table 4.1 Number of civil applications received in the magistrates' court by division & venue

  Current Business Area Total
Domestic Proceedings Fh&Dv (Magistrates Court)
Belfast Laganside Courts 26 469 495
Division total 26 469 495
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 6 107 113
Limavady Court Office   13 13
Magherafelt Court Office 2 18 20
Division total 8 138 146
Antrim Antrim Court Office 11 108 119
Coleraine Court Office 6 95 101
Ballymena Court Office 1 23 24
Larne Court Office   22 22
Division total 18 248 266
Fermanagh and Tyrone Omagh Court Office 3 34 37
Strabane Court Office 3 22 25
Enniskillen Court Office 2 28 30
Dungannon Court Office 9 44 53
Division total 17 128 145
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 4 38 42
Banbridge Court Office 5 8 13
Newry Court Office 24 123 147
Division total 33 169 202
Ards Newtownards Court Office 15 116 131
Downpatrick Court Office 2 42 44
Bangor Court Office 1 35 36
Division total 18 193 211
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 7 46 53
Lisburn Court Office 8 47 55
Division total 15 93 108

Table 4.1 Number of civil applications received in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

  Current Business Area Total
Domestic Proceedings Fh&Dv (Magistrates Court)
Northern Ireland 135 1438 1573

Table 4.2 Number of civil applications disposed in the magistrates' court by division & venue

  Current Business Area Total
Domestic Proceedings Fh&Dv (Magistrates Court)
Belfast Laganside Courts 35 398 433
Division total 35 398 433
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 8 85 93
Limavady Court Office   9 9
Magherafelt Court Office   20 20
Division total 8 114 122
Antrim Antrim Court Office 7 71 78
Coleraine Court Office 12 109 121
Ballymena Court Office 5 22 27
Larne Court Office 1 19 20
Division total 25 221 246
Fermanagh and Tyrone Omagh Court Office 6 44 50
Strabane Court Office 3 21 24
Enniskillen Court Office 3 22 25
Dungannon Court Office 2 40 42
Division total 14 127 141
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 3 32 35
Banbridge Court Office 2 5 7
Newry Court Office 18 108 126
Division total 23 145 168
Ards Newtownards Court Office 16 107 123
Downpatrick Court Office 7 37 44
Bangor Court Office 4 28 32
Division total 27 172 199
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office 3 26 29
Lisburn Court Office 4 46 50
Division total 7 72 79

Table 4.2 Number of civil applications disposed in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

  Current Business Area Total
Domestic Proceedings Fh&Dv (Magistrates Court)
Northern Ireland 139 1249 1388

Table 4.3: Average waiting times in the civil magistrates' courts by division & venue

  Date of issue to first hearing (weeks) First hearing to disposal (weeks)
Belfast Laganside Courts 1.81 5.75
Total 1.81 5.75
Londonderry Londonderry Court Office 1.99 4.41
Limavady Court Office .83 .00
Magherafelt Court Office 2.11 2.96
Total 1.93 3.85
Antrim Antrim Court Office 1.16 2.75
Coleraine Court Office 11.55 7.69
Ballymena Court Office 2.71 10.68
Larne Court Office 1.74 2.45
Total 6.49 6.03
Fermanagh and Tyrone Omagh Court Office 2.67 6.45
Strabane Court Office 1.50 2.55
Enniskillen Court Office 1.46 4.52
Dungannon Court Office 2.11 1.96
Total 2.09 4.10
Armagh and South Down Armagh Court Office 1.49 3.39
Banbridge Court Office 2.49 8.53
Newry Court Office 1.76 3.97
Total 1.73 4.04
Ards Newtownards Court Office 1.52 8.27
Downpatrick Court Office 2.40 10.55
Bangor Court Office 1.16 7.80
Total 1.66 8.70
Craigavon Craigavon Court Office .80 12.60
Lisburn Court Office .77 12.90
Total .78 12.79

Table 4.3: Average waiting times in the civil magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland

  Date of issue to first hearing (weeks) First hearing to disposal (weeks)
Northern Ireland 2.59 6.08

Table 4.4 Outcome of applications under Family Homes & Domestic Violence Order in the magistrates' court in Northern Ireland

  New Order Total
Granted Dismissed or refused Withdrawn Vary discharge Other
New complaint Non molestation 737 200 193 81 4 1215
Occupation 5 2 7   1 15
Vary discharge non-mol occupation 4 3 4 8   19
Total 746 205 204 89 5 1249