Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East has expressed concern for the future of rural justice ahead of the findings by the Scottish Court Service (SCS) on court closures across Scotland. It has been reported that 15 out of Scotland’s 49 Sheriff Courts could face closure and that the number of Sheriff Courts hosting jury trials could be reduced from 47 to 14. Under the controversial plans Forfar and Stonehaven Sheriff Courts would close.
Following a series of six ‘dialogue events’, Scotland’s most senior law figures are due to consider the findings in August before the Scottish Court Service Board puts forward proposals for public consultation in the autumn. The closures are being considered following a 20% cut to the Scottish Court Service budget by the SNP Scottish Government.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“In the current economic climate it is right that the Scottish Court Service is looking at ways to make savings and to deliver services in a more cost effective way. However, such a reduction in the number of courts should only be made if the overall capacity for processing criminal and civil cases is not adversely affected.
“This review should not become another opportunity for the SNP Scottish Government to pursue its soft-touch agenda by reducing the number of cases which are prosecuted in favour of prosecutors issuing more warnings and fiscal fines.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The closure of rural courts will inevitably inconvenience members of the public and take away from the front line policing duties of police officers.
Before any decisions are taken it is vital that SNP Ministers take on board the views expressed by Court staff, volunteers and members of the Crown Office, Procurator Fiscal Service and Scottish Prison Service before ploughing ahead with the closure plans.
“Simply closing courts without properly examining the consequences will expose SNP Ministers to charges of pursuing a soft-touch agenda which short changes the victims of crime, particularly those living in rural areas.
“It has been reported that 15 out of Scotland’s 49 Sheriff Courts could face closure and that many remaining courts would no longer host jury trials. Any proposed changes require a full consultation, especially in rural areas where the presence of a local court can save time and money and provide an important way for victims of crime to access justice.
“Once a formal consultation is published it is important to ensure that any proposed changes do not adversely affect the justice system’s overall capacity for processing cases and that the changes do not derogate from the important principle of access to justice.”