To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions wasted costs have been ordered against the defence in (a) Crown courts and (b) magistrates courts in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the total sum awarded was in each case. (254257)

I have been asked to reply.

Information on how many occasions wasted costs have been ordered against the defence in Crown court in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years was not centrally recorded prior to the introduction of a new IT system in October 2006. Consequently, it is not possible to provide the requested information prior to this date.

There were no orders for wasted costs made against the defence between October 2006 and 31 January 2009 in Crown court in Northern Ireland.

The magistrates court in Northern Ireland has no power to make a wasted costs order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions wasted costs have been ordered against the Public Prosecution Service in (a) Crown courts and (b) magistrates courts in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the total sum awarded was in each case. (254262)

I have been asked to reply.

There were no orders for wasted costs made against the Public Prosecution Service in a Crown court in Northern Ireland over the last five years.

The magistrates court in Northern Ireland has no power to make a wasted costs order.