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	Court Service Objective TABLE 10: Performance against key performance indicators Further information
	Public Trust Office Aim Objectives Performance targets TABLE 11: Performance against key performance indicators Further information
	The Associated Offices Legal Aid Board Council on Tribunals The Legal Services Ombudsman The Law Commission Judicial Studies Board The Official Solicitor's Department

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Court Service

1. The Court Service exists to carry out the administrative and support work of courts and tribunals and to promote their impartial and efficient operation. The Court Service supports the judiciary in the exercise of their functions and it works closely with them in promoting the impartial and efficient operation of the courts. It consults the judiciary in preparing its plans before they are submitted to the Lord Chancellor for approval, and on all major initiatives and changes affecting the operation of the courts.

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   Objective

2. The Court Service aims to provide a good quality service in a cost-effective manner. In meeting its purpose, it will:
   • provide a courteous, reliable and accurate service, relevant information and suitable facilities

   • complete all administrative processes promptly

   • reduce waiting times for trial or hearing

   • reduce the cost of the services provided

   • achieve full cost recovery in the civil courts

3. Performance against the aim and objectives is measured by the Court Service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). In 1998/99 the Court Service introduced two new KPIs: KPI 1 - the quality of service provided to court users, and KPI 3 - the percentage of cases in the Crown Court that commence within target time.

   It has also introduced a new KPI on asylum for 1999/2000. All of the Court Service KPIs will still cover the key areas of quality, timeliness, efficiency and cost (see Table 10).

   TABLE 10: Performance against key performance indicators

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   Further information

4. Further information on the work of the Court Service can be found in the Court Service Annual Report and Plan which are available from:

   The Court Service
   Southside
   105 Victoria Street
   LondonSW1E 6QT
   Tel: 0171 210 2266
   www.courtservice.gov.uk

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Public Trust Office

The Public Trustee is responsible for ensuring that the statutory functions of the Public Trustee and Accountant General of the Supreme Court are carried out.

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Aim

1. The aim of the Public Trust Office (PTO) is to ensure the effective management of private assets and financial affairs entrusted to its care, by or on behalf of, people unable or unwilling to manage these matters themselves.

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   Objectives

2. In pursuit of its aims, the PTO's objectives are to:
   • provide effective administrative services in relation to the Mental Health and Enduring Power of Attorney Acts; incorporating support for the Court of Protection, overseeing and assisting receivers in carrying out their duties and (where the Public Trustee is appointed receiver) to provide the full range of receivership duties

   • provide an effective executor and trustee service to the general public or if appointed by the courts, on a non-profit making basis

   • provide a secure and efficient banking and investment service for funds which are held in Court.

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   Performance targets

3. Full details of the PTO's performance against its Key Performance Indicators are published in its annual report, together with details of the corporate initiatives which support the achievement of these targets (see Table 11).

   TABLE 11: Performance against key performance indicators

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   Further information

4. For further information about the Public Trust Office and copies of its Annual Report, Framework Document, Corporate and Business Plans, contact:

   Public Trust Office
   Planning and Human Resource Division
   Stewart House
   24 Kingsway
   London
   WC2B 6JX
   Tel: 0171 664 7000
   www.publictrust.gov.uk

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   The Associated Offices

   Legal Aid Board

   Chairman: Sir Tim Chessells
   Chief executive: Steve Orchard

   The Legal Aid Board is a non-departmental public body working within a statutory framework laid down by the Legal Aid Act 1988, regulations made under it and guidance and objectives set by the Lord Chancellor from time to time. The Board has three major roles, namely to:

   • manage the major elements of the current legal aid scheme, namely, civil legal aid, criminal legal aid and advice and assistance

   • improve and assure the quality of service provided to the public by suppliers of legal aid

   • advise and assist the Lord Chancellor and his Department with the development of the legal aid scheme to meet their objectives for publicly funded legal services and developing and implementing changes to the scheme.

   The Board's Annual Report for 1997/98 was published in July 1998.

   For further information, contact:

   Legal Aid Board
   Legal Aid Head Office
   85 Gray's Inn Road
   London
   WC1X 8AA
   Tel: 0171 813 1000
   www.open.gov.uk/lab/legal.htm

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   Council on Tribunals

   Chairman: The Lord Archer of Sandwell
   Secretary: Alistair Twort

   The Council was set up in 1958 by the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1958 (as a result of the Franks report on Administrative Tribunals and Enquiries 1957). The Council now operates under the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992.

   Its main role is to keep under review the constitution and working of its tribunals and advise Government Departments about the principles and procedures which govern the running of tribunals and inquiries (such as planning inquiries).

   The Council on Tribunals' Annual Report covering its work in the period 1 August 1997 to 31 July 1998 was published on 15 December 1998.

   For further information, contact:

   Council on Tribunals
   7th Floor
   22 Kingsway
   London
   WC2B 6LE
   Tel: 0171 936 7045

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   The Legal Services Ombudsman

   Legal Services Ombudsman: Ms Ann Abraham

   The office of Legal Services Ombudsman was established under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. The Ombudsman oversees the handling of complaints about solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers and legal executives by the professional bodies responsible for setting and maintaining standards of conduct and service within the legal profession.

   The Legal Services Ombudsman's 1997 Annual Report was published in June 1998.

   For further information, contact:

   The Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman
   22 Oxford Court
   Oxford Street
   Manchester
   M2 2WQ
   Tel: 0161 236 9532
   Fax: 0161 236 2651
   Email: enquiries.olso@gtnet.gov.uk

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   The Law Commission

   Chairman: The Honourable Mr Justice Carnwath CVO
   Secretary: Michael Sayers

   The Law Commission was established by the Law Commission Act 1965. It aims to ensure that the law is fair, modern, simple and cost effective. The Commission is also responsible for the Consolidation of Legislation and Statute Law Revision.

   For further information, contact:

   The Law Commission
   Conquest House
   37/38 John Street
   Theobalds Road
   London
   WC1N 2BQ
   Tel: 0171 453 1220
   Email: secretary.lawcomm@gtnet.gov.uk
   www.gtnet.gov.uk/lawcomm/

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   Judicial Studies Board

   Chairman: The Right Honourable Lord Justice Henry
   Secretary: Edward Adams

   The Judicial Studies Board was set up in 1979 to provide training for judges in the criminal jurisdiction. In 1983 its role was extended to cover the provision of training in the civil and family jurisdictions and the supervision of training magistrates and judicial chairmen and members of tribunals. The Memorandum of Understanding was issued 6 June 1996 and gave formal recognition to the Board's autonomous status.

   The aims of the Judicial Studies Board are: to assess the training requirements of all judges, to provide training, advise on training for magistrates and members of tribunals, to advise Government on the likely training requirements for judges if proposed changes in civil criminal law are to be effective. The JSB Annual Report for 1997/98 was published in June 1998.

   For further information, contact:

   Judicial Studies Board
   9th Floor
   Millbank Tower
   London
   SW1P 4QU
   Tel: 0171 217 4763/4/5
   email: jsboard@compuserve.com,
   www.cix.co.uk/~jsb/index.htm

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   The Official Solicitor's Department

   Official Solicitor to the Supreme Court: Peter Harris

   Section 90 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 provides for the Official Solicitor to perform such duties in relation to the Supreme Court as the Lord Chancellor may from time to time direct. These duties are primarily concerned with the exercise of the Crown's function as 'parents patriae' which in this context relates to the Crown's inherent duty to protect the interests of minors (children) and mental patients (who are under legal disability).

   Details of the Official Solicitor's activities are published annually in LCD's Judicial Statistics Annual Report. The report for 1997 was published in July 1998.

   For further information, contact:

   The Official Solicitor's Department
   81 Chancery Lane
   London
   WC2A 1DD
   Tel: 0171 911 7118
   http://www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk/

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