Adjournment poser

Concerning the statement 'almost a quarter of adjournments were requested by defence lawyers (24%)' - what we are not told is why the application has to be made (see [2000] Gazette, 9 November, 5).

In my experience the application is made by the defence because the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has failed to provide information (usually because the police have not provided the same) or the CPS is waiting for instructions from the police because the police have not responded to a request for information.

If the Magistrates' Courts Service Inspectorate would ask court clerks to record not only who asked for the adjournment but why it was sought, we might all discover the truth behind the request for the adjournment.

It might also be useful to ask the court clerk to record the length of retirements by magistrates to consider applications.

Jacqueline Emmerson, Jacqueline Emmerson Solicitors, Sunderland