Fine way to cOt costs
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-Ai THE EFFECT of increasing fine. and orders for costs, unlike
f gen ral price rises, is mildly disinfl tionary," the Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham, told magistrates at a London meeting that they need have no hesitation in imposing maximum penalties.
'He was referring particularly to Offences committed for commercial gain or through meanness, such as dangerously overloading a vehicle, driving with .• bald tyres, or deliberately failing to renew a licence. All reputable operators would support his attitude towards such offences.
but, like me, they may be confused by Lord Hailsham s apparent ambivalence towards delitys in bringing cases to trial. Firit he insisted that defendants shciuld be charged with indictablO offences if these had been coMmitted, even if it caused further delay in the hearing. He th deplored increasing delays in the trial of cases in both Cr wn and Magistrates' Courts.
yen the Lord Chancellor su ly cannot have it both ways.