This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22215741

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Plans to close 10 sheriff courts approved by Scottish government Plans to close 10 sheriff courts approved by Scottish government
(35 minutes later)
Plans to close 10 sheriff courts around the country in a bid to save money have been approved by the Scottish government.Plans to close 10 sheriff courts around the country in a bid to save money have been approved by the Scottish government.
The changes, proposed by the Scottish Court Service, will also see seven justice of the peace courts closed, with business transferred elsewhere.The changes, proposed by the Scottish Court Service, will also see seven justice of the peace courts closed, with business transferred elsewhere.
In addition, the number of courts hearing sheriff and jury cases across Scotland will be reduced.In addition, the number of courts hearing sheriff and jury cases across Scotland will be reduced.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the reforms were "justified".Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the reforms were "justified".
Critics have argued the closures will limit access to justice.Critics have argued the closures will limit access to justice.
It is estimated the changes could save the Scottish Court Service about £4m a year. It is estimated the changes could save the Scottish Court Service about £1.3m annually and a one-off initial saving of £3m.
Mr MacAskill said: "I believe that given the financial constraints we are all working under, these changes are justified and are compatible with our wider justice reforms.Mr MacAskill said: "I believe that given the financial constraints we are all working under, these changes are justified and are compatible with our wider justice reforms.
"Unfortunately, the fragmented and outdated court system we inherited - where many smaller courts are not fit for purpose and are under-used - is no longer sustainable.""Unfortunately, the fragmented and outdated court system we inherited - where many smaller courts are not fit for purpose and are under-used - is no longer sustainable."
Business transferredBusiness transferred
The recommendations have been accepted by ministers and must now be approved by MSPs.The recommendations have been accepted by ministers and must now be approved by MSPs.
The reforms would see the closure of 10 of the existing 49 sheriff courts in Scotland, including nine co-located justice of the peace courts. These are:The reforms would see the closure of 10 of the existing 49 sheriff courts in Scotland, including nine co-located justice of the peace courts. These are:
The court service also proposes to close seven stand-alone justice of the peace courts at:The court service also proposes to close seven stand-alone justice of the peace courts at:
The closures would come into effect between November this year and January 2015.The closures would come into effect between November this year and January 2015.
The justice secretary said the 10 sheriff courts facing closure accounted for just 5% of the court service's total business.The justice secretary said the 10 sheriff courts facing closure accounted for just 5% of the court service's total business.
He said the Scottish Court Service was "confident" it could deal with the business within a "smaller number of better equipped courts".He said the Scottish Court Service was "confident" it could deal with the business within a "smaller number of better equipped courts".
New video conferencing facilities are being introduced in six northern courts, including at Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway, and at four other locations.New video conferencing facilities are being introduced in six northern courts, including at Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway, and at four other locations.
Mr MacAskill said this would minimise the inconvenience of people having to travel to appear in court.Mr MacAskill said this would minimise the inconvenience of people having to travel to appear in court.
He added: "By making its proposed court closures and other changes to the handling of court business, SCS estimate they can save £1m a year in running costs and £3m in maintenance costs, money which can be better spent on improving services and facilities at a smaller number of courts."He added: "By making its proposed court closures and other changes to the handling of court business, SCS estimate they can save £1m a year in running costs and £3m in maintenance costs, money which can be better spent on improving services and facilities at a smaller number of courts."
Other provisions recommended by the Scottish Court Service would see sheriff and jury cases heard at just 16 sheriff courts on the mainland and five island courts - at Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Lochmaddy and Portree.Other provisions recommended by the Scottish Court Service would see sheriff and jury cases heard at just 16 sheriff courts on the mainland and five island courts - at Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Lochmaddy and Portree.
These changes would be phased in over the next 10 years.These changes would be phased in over the next 10 years.
'Slap in face''Slap in face'
The proposals have been met with opposition from the Law Society, unions and local MSPs.The proposals have been met with opposition from the Law Society, unions and local MSPs.
Lewis Macdonald, Scottish Labour list MSP for the North East of Scotland, described the Scottish government's approval of the recommendations "slap in the face" for all the local communities affected by the closures.Lewis Macdonald, Scottish Labour list MSP for the North East of Scotland, described the Scottish government's approval of the recommendations "slap in the face" for all the local communities affected by the closures.
He added: "Only on Tuesday, Kenny Macaskill said he'd give proper consideration of the impact the closures would have on access to justice and on local economies. That proper consideration has taken him just three days.He added: "Only on Tuesday, Kenny Macaskill said he'd give proper consideration of the impact the closures would have on access to justice and on local economies. That proper consideration has taken him just three days.
"All those local communities and elected representatives who wanted to make a case for their local court, including members of his own party, have been told that they needn't bother - ministers have their minds made up.""All those local communities and elected representatives who wanted to make a case for their local court, including members of his own party, have been told that they needn't bother - ministers have their minds made up."