Nwicker60
09-Apr-13, 15:12
Dornoch and Dingwall courts to disappear if plans are approved
SUTHERLAND could lose its sheriff court if the Scottish accepts wide-ranging proposals.
In the event, it could be one of 10 court casualties made by the Scottish Court Service in a bid to save money.
Dingwall, over the border in Ross-shire would be the other Highland closure.
Proposals submitted to ministers also recommend phasing in changes to hold sheriff and jury cases at just 18 sheriff courts around Scotland, according to the BBC, today.
The plans would also see the closure of nine justice of the peace courts.
The courts service said the proposals were "stark" but "proportionate". Ministers must approve any changes before taking them before parliament.
Scottish Court Service chief executive Eric McQueen said the administrative shake-up was being proposed at a time when "public sector funding is under severe pressure".
He said: "By 2015, the court service running cost budget will reduce by 20% in real terms and the capital budget will reduce from £20m to £4m. We believe that instead of investing in all our current buildings we must invest our energy and resources in making better use of technology including video links and online processes”
Mr McQueen said the pressures on funding meant the Scottish Courts Service needed to change the way it operates and delivers services. We have already made substantial savings by reducing staff numbers, reducing sitting court days and streamlining our corporate services, but continuing with these types of cuts simply reduces our ability to deliver a quality court service," he said.
The recommendations, if adopted by ministers and approved by MSPs, would see the closure of 10 sheriff courts, including nine of their justice of the peace courts. These are:
Dornoch - with business going to Tain;
Duns - with business going to Jedburgh;
Kirkcudbright - with business going to Dumfries;
Peebles - with business going to Selkirk;
Rothesay (sheriff court only) - with business going to Greenock;
Arbroath - with business going to Forfar;
Cupar - with business going to Dundee;
Dingwall - with business going to Inverness;
Haddington - with business going to Edinburgh; and
Stonehaven - with business going to Aberdeen.
If approved, the closures would come into effect between November this year and January 2015.
Mr McQueen added: "These recommendations may sound stark but they are proportionate.
"The volume of business transacted in the sheriff courts recommended for closure is around 5% of the overall court business.
"We believe that instead of investing in all our current buildings we must invest our energy and resources in making better use of technology including video links and online processes."
SUTHERLAND could lose its sheriff court if the Scottish accepts wide-ranging proposals.
In the event, it could be one of 10 court casualties made by the Scottish Court Service in a bid to save money.
Dingwall, over the border in Ross-shire would be the other Highland closure.
Proposals submitted to ministers also recommend phasing in changes to hold sheriff and jury cases at just 18 sheriff courts around Scotland, according to the BBC, today.
The plans would also see the closure of nine justice of the peace courts.
The courts service said the proposals were "stark" but "proportionate". Ministers must approve any changes before taking them before parliament.
Scottish Court Service chief executive Eric McQueen said the administrative shake-up was being proposed at a time when "public sector funding is under severe pressure".
He said: "By 2015, the court service running cost budget will reduce by 20% in real terms and the capital budget will reduce from £20m to £4m. We believe that instead of investing in all our current buildings we must invest our energy and resources in making better use of technology including video links and online processes”
Mr McQueen said the pressures on funding meant the Scottish Courts Service needed to change the way it operates and delivers services. We have already made substantial savings by reducing staff numbers, reducing sitting court days and streamlining our corporate services, but continuing with these types of cuts simply reduces our ability to deliver a quality court service," he said.
The recommendations, if adopted by ministers and approved by MSPs, would see the closure of 10 sheriff courts, including nine of their justice of the peace courts. These are:
Dornoch - with business going to Tain;
Duns - with business going to Jedburgh;
Kirkcudbright - with business going to Dumfries;
Peebles - with business going to Selkirk;
Rothesay (sheriff court only) - with business going to Greenock;
Arbroath - with business going to Forfar;
Cupar - with business going to Dundee;
Dingwall - with business going to Inverness;
Haddington - with business going to Edinburgh; and
Stonehaven - with business going to Aberdeen.
If approved, the closures would come into effect between November this year and January 2015.
Mr McQueen added: "These recommendations may sound stark but they are proportionate.
"The volume of business transacted in the sheriff courts recommended for closure is around 5% of the overall court business.
"We believe that instead of investing in all our current buildings we must invest our energy and resources in making better use of technology including video links and online processes."