Crown Prosecution Service

Attorney-General written question – answered am ar 17 Gorffennaf 2013.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Emily Thornberry Emily Thornberry Shadow Attorney General

To ask the Attorney-General what the total value was of court cost awards made in favour of the Crown Prosecution Service that were written-off in (a) 2012-13 and (b) each of the five preceding years.

Photo of Oliver Heald Oliver Heald The Solicitor-General

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) receives awards of costs made against convicted defendants at the discretion of the judge or magistrates. CPS is informed of the level of costs awarded in court by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and accounts for the corresponding sums due. HMCTS pay over the monies when collected, which reduces the balance receivable.

A number of these costs awarded may never be collected, for example when the individual is imprisoned, has left the country or has died. HMCTS writes off irrecoverable debts as and when they become apparent and informs the CPS of the amounts to be written off.

The total value of costs awards that were written off by CPS in 2012-13 and each of the five preceding years is contained in the following table:

  Cost awards written off (£)
2012-13 4,457,298.30
2011-12 4,388,753.51
2010-11 2,672,887.52
2009-10 2,996,251.93
2008-09 3,100,685.57
2007-08 2,867,188.92

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