The consultation seeks views on the financial boundaries which govern which court tier hears civil claims, such as for personal injury and breach of contract.
The consultation is seeking the public’s views on a number of issues. These include options for the level of increase to the jurisdiction of county court and district judges which would move certain cases from the High Court in the future. The consultation also seeks views on increasing the jurisdiction of the small claims court, and increasing the jurisdiction of the county courts to hear defamation cases up to a value of £10,000.
We also want to hear your views as to whether clinical negligence cases should be reserved as a strictly High Court action or retain the current upper limit of £30,000, and whether county court judges should have a statutory power to remove cases from the county courts to the High Courts.
Responses to this consultation can be made via Citizenspace platform on the NIDirect website at https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/doj/revised-draft-consultation-increasing-the-jurisdic/
Via email: DOJCivilJusticePolicy.Division@justice-ni.gov.uk
Via post: Civil Courts & Branch, Department of Justice, Massey House, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SXIf you require any further information on this consultation, please contact us at:028 90 169594
This consultation will close 30 April 2021.