Cost concerns over court changes

Last week in Parliament I raised my concerns over the proposed changes to Scottish courts to the Justice Secretary during General Questions. These changes include closing Cupar Sheriff Court with business moving to Dundee, and the reorganisation of Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court with jury trials moving to Dunfermline.

I have concerns that the Scottish Court Service has not published a robust cost benefit analysis for the proposed changes that could lead to the closures and reorganisation not realising significant savings whilst at the same time significantly reducing access to local justice.

There seems to be growing evidence that what has been proposed in Fife will not only fail to result in significant savings but may actually lead to an increase in costs.

I asked the Cabinet Secretary Kenny MacAskill if he shared my concerns that the Court Services has failed to recognise the potential for increased costs as a result of their proposals. I was disappointed in his response indicating that he does not.

The Scottish Court Service has failed to publish a robust cost benefit analysis. They claim this is a money saving exercise yet it is increasingly clear that increased travel costs, along with the reduction in access to local justice, means the proposals for Fife are seriously flawed and short-sighted.

The consultation had no indication of the extra costs that will be incurred by the proposed changes and decisions of this magnitude should not be made blindly. It is vital that the Scottish Government is open and honest with the people of Fife.

The consultation, which closed just before Christmas, is on the back of the Scottish Government’s draft budget which will see the Scottish Court Service’s budget cut by £10.9 million over the next two years.

I have submitted a response highlighting my opposition to the closure of Cupar Sheriff Court, the removal of jury trials from Kirkcaldy and the amalgamation of Kirkcaldy Justice of the Peace into Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.