Views sought on Glasgow court unification

SCS proposing new Justice of the Peace court to cover Glasgow and Strathkelvin sheriffdom

News, 13 May 2008

A three-month consultation on proposals for the unification of court administration in the Sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin begins today.

As part of the wider reforms of summary criminal justice, the administration of all the summary courts in Scotland will be undertaken in future by the Scottish Court Service (SCS), including the district courts that are currently run by local authorities.

The consultation paper proposes that a Glasgow and Strathkelvin justice of the peace court is established within the existing buildings currently occupied by Glasgow district court, and that business from Kirkintilloch and Rutherglen district courts is transferred to this court in Glasgow.

The consultation proposals have been developed following discussions with local authorities, justice partners and other interested parties.

The principal reasons for transferring business is the limited court sitting days – two days per month at Kirkintilloch and Rutherglen – and that the current district court facilities do not meet SCS court standards. The cost of bringing these existing facilities up to standard is estimated at between £1 million and £1.7 million. With short travelling distance and good public transport links to Glasgow, the report argues that these costs would be difficult to justify.

Eleanor Emberson, chief executive of the Scottish Court Service, said: "It is always difficult to consider closing local courts, but SCS believes these arrangements would deliver an improved service to the public and also represent good value for public money.

"Focusing on one location will offer opportunities for future investment to provide better, more modern and more secure court facilities."

The consultation proposals can be read via this link. Views should be submitted by 12 August to David Lynn, Scottish Court Service, FSD Unification Team, Sheriff Court of Glasgow and Strathkelvin, 1 Carlton Place, Glasgow G5 9DA, or emailed to dlynn@scotcourts.gov.uk .