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Scottish court closure performance pledge Further Scottish court closures considered
(about 2 hours later)
The chief of the court service has promised closure plans will not lead to problems in Scotland's sheriff courts. A fresh round of court closures is being considered beyond those already planned, according to the Scottish Court Service's chief executive.
Eric McQueen, chief executive of the Scottish Court Service, said there was "no way" he would bring forward plans if the workload was going to "spiral". New "justice centres" could see areas like the Borders move all court business under one roof, Eric McQueen told Holyrood's Justice Committee.
He was responding to concerns about workload and local accountability over plans to shut 10 sheriff courts. The suggestion alarmed opposition politicians already trying to stop plans to shut 10 sheriff courts.
He told Holyrood's justice committee that MSPs should trust the service's "professionalism and integrity". Conservative MSP John Lamont called it a "bombshell" for rural areas.
"There is no way in the world that we would be bringing forward plans where we thought the court was just going to spiral in terms of its performance," he said. Mr McQueen said feasibility studies on the new plan would begin by the end of this month, extending to areas in Strathclyde, Fife and the Highlands.
He faced a long list of concerns from MSPs trying to secure the future of courts in their areas. Justice centres could bring together courts, police, social work and victim support.
Ten sheriff courts and seven justice of the peace courts are earmarked for closure as part of a plan to save £4m-a-year in running and maintenance costs. In the Borders, talks will be held the week after next to seek agreement on the principle of the idea.
Improve system
"There's already a suggestion that in terms of location Galashiels would make a good central hub in the Borders area," Mr McQueen said.
"We are very committed to it as a way of trying to improve the justice system and improve delivery.
"We will be sitting down with partners in the council and justice colleagues the week after next to start scoping out the feasibility and the practicality of trying to achieve that."
The plan may involve further closures, leaving the region with just one court, he told the committee.
"That's something that we will consider as part of the feasibility study," he said.
Mr Lamont, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, said: "Given the backlash against courts closures, it's incredible to discover that this may only be the beginning."
Mr McQueen had earlier promised the current closure plans would not lead to problems in Scotland's sheriff courts.
He said there was "no way" he would bring forward plans if the workload was going to "spiral".
Ten sheriff courts and seven justice of the peace courts are currently earmarked for closure as part of a plan to save £4m-a-year in running and maintenance costs.
The list covers sheriff courts in Dornoch, Duns, Kirkcudbright, Peebles, Rothesay, Cupar, Dingwall, Arbroath, Haddington and Stonehaven, with their business transferred to other locations.The list covers sheriff courts in Dornoch, Duns, Kirkcudbright, Peebles, Rothesay, Cupar, Dingwall, Arbroath, Haddington and Stonehaven, with their business transferred to other locations.
Justice of the peace courts in Annan, Irvine, Motherwell, Cumbernauld, Portree, Stornoway and Wick also face being closed.Justice of the peace courts in Annan, Irvine, Motherwell, Cumbernauld, Portree, Stornoway and Wick also face being closed.
Particular concerns were raised about the transfer of business from Stonehaven to Aberdeen and from Haddington to Edinburgh.
Mr McQueen accepted Aberdeen court was not meeting the 16-week target for cases coming to trial.
"There's a very clear improvement plan in place for Aberdeen," he said.
"It's agreed with the justice organisations, the sheriffs locally in Aberdeen and it's being driven by the Sheriff Principal.
"We have been through the absolute detail of how that combined court programme will work and that has the explicit agreement of the Sheriff Principal in Aberdeen."
He was confident that work from Haddington could be absorbed in the capital.
"The capacity exists within Edinburgh to take that business in without any significant issues at all," he said, denying that the court was struggling to meet current demand.
Travel concernsTravel concerns
More rural areas will face travel problems, he was told by MSPs on the committee. Particular concerns were raised about the transfer of business from Stonehaven to Aberdeen and from Haddington to Edinburgh.
However, he downplayed concerns that someone in Eyemouth, in the south-east, would struggle to travel by public transport more than 40 miles to Jedburgh if Duns court was closed. Mr McQueen said plans were in place to speed up case handling in Aberdeen and that he was confident Haddington's work could be absorbed in the capital.
The journey can take two to three hours, with changes required on the way. He downplayed concerns that someone in Eyemouth, in the south-east, would struggle to travel by public transport more than 40 miles to Jedburgh if Duns court was closed.
"The level of business that is going through these courts is very, very small," he said."The level of business that is going through these courts is very, very small," he said.
"I accept for some people the actual travel distance to Jedburgh in the future will be difficult, and by public transport you are looking at a time approaching two hours for that public transport."I accept for some people the actual travel distance to Jedburgh in the future will be difficult, and by public transport you are looking at a time approaching two hours for that public transport.
"What we can't do is provide court services to meet every single issue across the whole of Scotland.""What we can't do is provide court services to meet every single issue across the whole of Scotland."
Opposition MSPs hope to overturn the Scottish government's plan to accept the recommendations and close the courts.Opposition MSPs hope to overturn the Scottish government's plan to accept the recommendations and close the courts.
Lib Dem Borders MP Michael Moore has also called for the proposals to be ditched saying many of his constituents were "rightly concerned" about the plans.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has said money could "be better spent improving services and facilities at a smaller number of courts".Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has said money could "be better spent improving services and facilities at a smaller number of courts".