The SNP are forging ahead with plans to axe more than a fifth of sheriff courts despite concerns expressed by communities across Scotland.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has tabled Parliamentary Orders to close ten sheriff courts and 13 Justice of the Peace courts as part of Scottish Government budget cuts.
However, the Scottish Conservatives have joined opposition parties in tabling motions to annul the orders in a bid to stop the closures.
The move comes despite warnings that the remaining courts will not be able to cope with such an increase in cases, and that witnesses, victims and staff will now face longer and more inconvenient journeys.
It means those courts still in operation will have to hear at least another 10,000 cases a year.
The Scottish Government also announced earlier this year that a significant number of civil claims from the Court of Session would also be moved to sheriff courts.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“The closure of Arbroath and Stonehaven Sheriff Courts by the SNP represents a major blow to justice being delivered to communities in Angus and Kincardine.
“This is a damaging move by the SNP Scottish Government, and one that will be felt across the country.
“The Justice Secretary is forging ahead with these unpopular proposals despite opposition from communities and even some of his fellow MSPs.
“This move will force victims and witnesses of crime to travel further and could lead to trials being delayed.
“It will also result in the remaining courts having to deal with more than extra 10,000 cases every year.
“However, there is still time to save these courts if SNP MSPs on the Justice Committee, such as Christine Grahame, stand up for their local community and vote to annul the Orders.
“This will then bring the issue before the full parliament and force Kenny MacAskill to come before MSPs to justify why he is reducing access to justice across Scotland.”