Video link idea to tackle Shropshire courts controversy

Solicitors have been highly critical of the arrangements, which have seen all remand cases moved out of the Shropshire to Kidderminster Magistrates Court.

Now, after pressure from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, HM Courts and Tribunals Service has said it is willing to consider the use of video links to run the hearings.

It could mean that defendants no longer have to physically travel to Kidderminster for the hearings, and would instead be able to appear via video from Shropshire police stations.

Defendants are currently taken to Kidderminster by bus in the morning, or in some cases by Shropshire police officers.

Mr Campion has previously said the changes to the hearings deny communities local access to justice and put additional strain on police resources.

The commissioner said he had met Deputy Justices Clerk Jonathan Price from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, who confirmed the centralised hearings would continue, but that the service was willing to consider looking into the use of technology as a means of reducing its impact.

Funded

Mr Campion expressed disappointment at the decision not to bring the hearings back to Shropshire but said he was encouraged by the potential for video technology.

However, he said any system would not be able to be exclusively funded by the police.

He said: “It is disappointing that the courts service will continue with centralised remand hearings. Our communities rightfully expect to be able to access justice locally. This change removes that access for many people.

"This meeting was about making sure that point was clear to the courts service, and that voices from our communities were heard.

“I am encouraged that they are willing to consider the use of video technology. However, any potential solution needs to fix problems for our communities and police force, rather than just create new ones.

"Video technology would still require the commitment of significant time and resource.

"That commitment cannot come exclusively from the police. All parties involved need to play their part. I will work with our police, the courts and other partners to see what can be delivered.”