ianstone
08-17-2010, 03:56 PM
Shopping centres could be turned into magistrates' courts as part of Government cost cutting
By Gerri Peev (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Gerri+Peev)
Last updated at 7:17 PM on 17th August 2010
Comments (0) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303891/Shopping-centres-turned-magistrates-courts-Government-cost-cutting.html#comments)
Add to My Stories (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303891/Shopping-centres-turned-magistrates-courts-Government-cost-cutting.html)
Empty stores in shopping centres and High Streets could be turned into courts in the latest cost-cutting plan being considered by Whitehall.
Hearings could take place in glass-fronted rooms to allow shoppers to witness justice at first-hand.
The proposal will be put to the Ministry of Justice by the Magistrates' Association ahead of autumn’s spending review.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/17/article-1303891-09CCD11C000005DC-249_468x314.jpg Open justice: Shopping centres, like the thecentre:mk in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, could be turned into magistrates' courts
The Ministry of Justice has already announced a cull of magistrates’ courts across England and Wales.
But magistrates argue their plan would save cash as it would make use of vacant space in the recession-plagued retail trade.
It would also mean that hearings could be take place on a Saturday and closer to home for both victims and offenders.
John Howson, deputy chairman of the Magistrates' Association, said: ‘Why not use a unit in a shopping centre with a glass front where everyone can see what is going on?’
He added that hearings could take place in malls so that ‘instead of a shoplifter being taken to the police station and it taking hours to build a file, even if they are going to plead guilty, they could be dealt with far more quickly’.
At least 103 magistrates' courts and 54 county courts are to be closed as part of the Ministry of Justice’s budget cuts, saving £37million a year.
The department also faces an even bigger cull of staff, with one in five, or 15,000, threatened with the axe.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has proposed cutting 25 per cent from his department’s £9billion budget.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'The Government is committed to supporting local justice, and is determined to re-assess the courts system to ensure it properly meets the needs of today’s communities.
'No decisions have been made on court closures and all responses to the consultation will be considered before decisions are made.
‘We welcome the views of the Magistrates’ Association and look forward to receiving them.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303891/Shopping-centres-turned-magistrates-courts-Government-cost-cutting.html#ixzz0wtXwmOKM
By Gerri Peev (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Gerri+Peev)
Last updated at 7:17 PM on 17th August 2010
Comments (0) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303891/Shopping-centres-turned-magistrates-courts-Government-cost-cutting.html#comments)
Add to My Stories (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303891/Shopping-centres-turned-magistrates-courts-Government-cost-cutting.html)
Empty stores in shopping centres and High Streets could be turned into courts in the latest cost-cutting plan being considered by Whitehall.
Hearings could take place in glass-fronted rooms to allow shoppers to witness justice at first-hand.
The proposal will be put to the Ministry of Justice by the Magistrates' Association ahead of autumn’s spending review.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/08/17/article-1303891-09CCD11C000005DC-249_468x314.jpg Open justice: Shopping centres, like the thecentre:mk in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, could be turned into magistrates' courts
The Ministry of Justice has already announced a cull of magistrates’ courts across England and Wales.
But magistrates argue their plan would save cash as it would make use of vacant space in the recession-plagued retail trade.
It would also mean that hearings could be take place on a Saturday and closer to home for both victims and offenders.
John Howson, deputy chairman of the Magistrates' Association, said: ‘Why not use a unit in a shopping centre with a glass front where everyone can see what is going on?’
He added that hearings could take place in malls so that ‘instead of a shoplifter being taken to the police station and it taking hours to build a file, even if they are going to plead guilty, they could be dealt with far more quickly’.
At least 103 magistrates' courts and 54 county courts are to be closed as part of the Ministry of Justice’s budget cuts, saving £37million a year.
The department also faces an even bigger cull of staff, with one in five, or 15,000, threatened with the axe.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has proposed cutting 25 per cent from his department’s £9billion budget.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'The Government is committed to supporting local justice, and is determined to re-assess the courts system to ensure it properly meets the needs of today’s communities.
'No decisions have been made on court closures and all responses to the consultation will be considered before decisions are made.
‘We welcome the views of the Magistrates’ Association and look forward to receiving them.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1303891/Shopping-centres-turned-magistrates-courts-Government-cost-cutting.html#ixzz0wtXwmOKM