Law and Rights
On 6th September we asked ?Is ?Justice? in safe hands?? That post looked (amongst other things) at the cuts to the Magistrates? Courts:
- The Magistrates' Courts
The legal system of England and Wales is quite unique with regard to the extensive lay involvement in the administration of justice in the Magistrates' Courts as well as members of the public forming juries in the Crown Court and, occasionally, in...
- Magistrates Courts ~ Unacceptable Delays
Justice Minister Mr Damian Green is seeking to improve the performance of the Magistrates Courts - Ministry of Justice - Damian Green: unacceptable delays in Magistrates Courts. He is right to do so but, let's remember, there have been...
- Justice Buses Are Not The Answer To Court Closures ....
The Guardian 27th August carried an article "Justice buses are not the answer to court closures". Ideas such as "courts" sitting in shopping centres and on converted buses have been popping up recently. For many practical reasons, this is...
- The Axe To Be Taken To Some 157 Courts
The Ministry of Justice, recognising the present financial climate, is keen to axe to some 157 Court locations. The majority are Magistrates' Courts but over 50 are County Courts. On 23rd June a series of consultation papers were published...
- Local Justice Is Getting Less Local
In recent times, the Magistrates' Courts have been equated with the term "local justice", a phrase which implies courts being reasonably near to people (who may have to attend as witnesses etc) and justice administered by people (magistrates) who...
Law and Rights
Courts facing closure: views of Lord Justice Goldring --- and other matters
?The previous Labour government started the hatchet job on magistrates' courts and the axe has been taken up with relish by Kenneth Clarke. The vast majority of criminal cases are dealt with by the magistrates' courts and access to such courts is essential. The closures will mean that many victims and witnesses will have to travel further to get their cases heard. The extended travel distances will inevitably result in more people failing to turn up on the day especially if, as seems likely, the usual attention is paid to wintry conditions on the roads. The axeing of "local justice" will also have the effect of disengaging from the legal system those active citizens who care about things and who have been willing to give their time to serve as magistrates.?
It would appear that the Senior Presiding Judge ? Lord Justice Goldring ? agrees wholeheartedly with those views though it is highly unlikely that His Lordship pays much attention to law blogs! Goldring LJ has responded to the Ministry of Justice proposals to close down many magistrates? courts and his views may be read in the Solicitor? Journal. He points out that the consultation contains factual errors; fails to take account of travelling times or the impact on family work and he warns of the prospect of further delay to dealing with cases. Also, the projected savings of £15m ignore additional costs created by the closures and the loss of local courts could damage the recruitment and morale of magistrate.
Following on from the Spending Review, The Guardian claims that one in five prison and probation officers will lose their jobs - see "Policing and Criminal Justice cut by 20%." Even if The Guardian's headline claim is rather simplistic - (since x% off a budget does not necessarily equate to x% staff) - the impact is likely to be severe. It is little use seeking to send more offenders on community sentences if the various programmes are not properly manned by well-qualified and experienced personnel. The delivery of quality community programmes will be even more essential if the confidence of the judges, magistracy and the general public is to be maintained.
In the Family Justice Area, the government has announced that fees charged to local authorities for bringing care proceedings will not be abolished pending the outcome of the Family Justice Review which is looking at reforms to the handling of both public and private law family cases. The Solicitor's Journal carries the story.
Footnote: The building pictured above is Salford Magistrates' Court which the Ministry of Justice has included in the proposals for closures. Although Salford is a distinct city to Manchester and has its own proud history it will end up without a magistrates' court. The principal reason seems to be that there is no money to refurbish this fine old building. The outcome will be that two cities will share what is now Manchester City Magistrates' Court which is just about managing to cope at present with Manchester's work.
Addendum 26th October: It now seems that Salford Council are putting forward a proposal which may save Salford Magistrates Court - see BBC. A solution along the lines suggested would make eminent good sense. The alternative would be closure of a "listed" building which would rapidly deteriorate and become an eyesore in central Salford.
Following on from the Spending Review, The Guardian claims that one in five prison and probation officers will lose their jobs - see "Policing and Criminal Justice cut by 20%." Even if The Guardian's headline claim is rather simplistic - (since x% off a budget does not necessarily equate to x% staff) - the impact is likely to be severe. It is little use seeking to send more offenders on community sentences if the various programmes are not properly manned by well-qualified and experienced personnel. The delivery of quality community programmes will be even more essential if the confidence of the judges, magistracy and the general public is to be maintained.
In the Family Justice Area, the government has announced that fees charged to local authorities for bringing care proceedings will not be abolished pending the outcome of the Family Justice Review which is looking at reforms to the handling of both public and private law family cases. The Solicitor's Journal carries the story.
Footnote: The building pictured above is Salford Magistrates' Court which the Ministry of Justice has included in the proposals for closures. Although Salford is a distinct city to Manchester and has its own proud history it will end up without a magistrates' court. The principal reason seems to be that there is no money to refurbish this fine old building. The outcome will be that two cities will share what is now Manchester City Magistrates' Court which is just about managing to cope at present with Manchester's work.
Addendum 26th October: It now seems that Salford Council are putting forward a proposal which may save Salford Magistrates Court - see BBC. A solution along the lines suggested would make eminent good sense. The alternative would be closure of a "listed" building which would rapidly deteriorate and become an eyesore in central Salford.
- The Magistrates' Courts
The legal system of England and Wales is quite unique with regard to the extensive lay involvement in the administration of justice in the Magistrates' Courts as well as members of the public forming juries in the Crown Court and, occasionally, in...
- Magistrates Courts ~ Unacceptable Delays
Justice Minister Mr Damian Green is seeking to improve the performance of the Magistrates Courts - Ministry of Justice - Damian Green: unacceptable delays in Magistrates Courts. He is right to do so but, let's remember, there have been...
- Justice Buses Are Not The Answer To Court Closures ....
The Guardian 27th August carried an article "Justice buses are not the answer to court closures". Ideas such as "courts" sitting in shopping centres and on converted buses have been popping up recently. For many practical reasons, this is...
- The Axe To Be Taken To Some 157 Courts
The Ministry of Justice, recognising the present financial climate, is keen to axe to some 157 Court locations. The majority are Magistrates' Courts but over 50 are County Courts. On 23rd June a series of consultation papers were published...
- Local Justice Is Getting Less Local
In recent times, the Magistrates' Courts have been equated with the term "local justice", a phrase which implies courts being reasonably near to people (who may have to attend as witnesses etc) and justice administered by people (magistrates) who...