Question
PSNI litigation team gave a useful presentation on the litigation process at the resources committee. The list provided evidenced that many of the long standing cases involved police officers.
Can you please provide;
1. The number of ligation cases currently open:
(i) The number of these cases where the claimant is a police officer, serving or retired
2. The number of cases in the last five years that have settled out of court:
(i) How many were police officer, serving or retired, claimants
3. The number of cases in the last five years that have proceeded to court:
(i) How many were police officer claimants, serving or retired
(ii) How many found in favour of the claimant
4. The average settlement value from all cases settled in courts and out of it, in the last 5 years
(i) To civilians
(ii) To police officers, both serving and retired
Answer
Please find below responses to your queries in the order raised:
1. There are currently 1,851 open ligation cases, of which 441 involve a claimant who is a serving or retired police officer or staff.
2. A total of 1,212 cases have been settled out of court in the last five years, of which 654 involved a claimant who is a serving or retired police officer or staff.
3. A total of 18 cases proceeded to court in the last five years, of which 4 involved a claimant who is a serving or retired police officer or staff. Out of a total of 18 cases, 14 were found in favour of the claimant.
4. The average settlement value from all cases settled in courts and out of it, in
the last 5 years is:
(i) To civilians or members of the public - £4,241
(ii) To police officers or staff, both serving and retired - £8,963
Dr Kate Laverty