A warning that Scotland could face further court cuts has been described as a “bombshell” by Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell.
Mr Mundell has already written to the parliament’s justice committee outlining his concerns about the closures, and has called on Christine Graham MSP as Chair of the committee to do everything she can to influence other members to reject the proposals.
He has spoke out once again after the Chief Executive of the Scottish Courts Service (SCS) warned that Scotland could be set for even more court closures beyond those already announced.
Eric McQueen said at a meeting of the Justice Committee in the Scottish Parliament that where “justice centres” will be created, the SCS would have to look at shutting more courts.
This would be in addition to the 10 sheriff courts already due for closure, which includes Peebles and 16 Justice of the Peace courts, which includes Annan. Lanark Sheriff Court was given a last minute reprieve after initially being targeted for closure.
The Scottish Government wants to create justice centres – where a range of services including courts, police and social work would be housed under one roof - in the Borders, Fife, the Highlands and Lanarkshire.
Mr McQueen added that the feasibility studies in relation to these centres would consider the closure of more courts in those areas.
Mr Mundell, who has been fighting the cuts, said: “This will come as a bombshell for rural communitiesin my constituency.
“Given the backlash against courts closures, it’s incredible to discover that this may only be the beginning. The Scottish Government have rushed into this move, even though it has been well warned that it will result in huge inconvenience to witnesses and victims, and cause delays in an already overburdened system. In doing so they are ignoring the voices of local people in this region once again. I hope that SNP MSPs in the South of Scotland including Christine Graham who chairs the Justice Committee will now put the needs local communities before the so called cost cutting plans the SNP are determined to push through despite strong opposition.”
“Courts in towns across Scotland, such as Lanark, Peebles and Annan, play a vital role in serving justice in those communities, and ensuring accountability is maintained in that area. It is extremely worrying that this service may be centralised even more so than it has been already, something that would make matters much worse than they are on course to be,” added the local MP.
The MP said: “A number of my constituents feel that the consultation ignored their views and did not take the true cost of these measures for local communities and justice itself into account. I fully agree with them that it is important that justice is seen to be done locally and this retrograde step removes local justice. This is particularly the case in rural areas where the community is very much engaged in the process of local justice. I am worried that this link will be broken and that this may also reduce the deterrent of committing certain types of crime as breaches of the law will not be as effectively reported in the local press.
“Making people travel further both a witnesses, victims, jury members, staff and appearing parties is not as easy in this region as public transport is not readily available and increasing the distance people will have to travel will increase costs and undoubtedly inconvenience. This move could also lead to trials being delayed. The plans will also seriously harm access to justice, may end up costing more money and could even hit small businesses who benefit from their local sheriff or JP court.”
He went on: “I am also concerned that these court closures and downgrades come despite warnings that the remaining courts will not be able to cope with such an increase in cases. The SCS describe these cuts as proportionate, but it means more than 10,000 cases will now have to be allocated to those Scottish courts that remain and there is a strong perception that justice already takes too long to be done and for cases to come before the courts.”