News In Focus
21 November 2007
More power for JPs
More motoring offences will be dealt with in the new justice of the peace courts when these replace the district courts under the summary justice reforms, the Scotland Office announced yesterday.
JPs will be able to ban or endorse the driving licences of motorists convicted of offences including careless driving, driving without insurance and driving while banned. At present only sheriffs have such powers.
Minister David Cairns said the move was designed to clear the backlog of cases in sheriff courts. The new justice of the peace courts will be rolled out sheriffdom by sheriffdom, beginning next year.
The Scotland Office is introducing the changes because road traffic legislation is reserved to Westminster.