Star comment: Shake-up of courts bad idea

An efficient judicial process that ensures the victims of crime receive justice and that respects the rights of those who are being tried ought to be a given.

And yet a further shake-up in the justice system means that local justice for people in Oswestry, Wem, Ludlow, Telford and Shrewsbury might involve a trip to Kidderminster, or, further, to Worcester.

The concept of local justice is slowly but surely being eroded and might soon be extinct. The situation is already in a parlous state. Over the last 20 years, we have seen numerous courts close across the region as the judiciary has been centralised at a small number of locations. Those who imagine that it is not possible to make any further cuts will be troubled to learn about the new proposals to see some suspects having their cases heard outside the county.

What effect this will have if it goes ahead remains to be seen – but there are many outstanding questions that need to be addressed as articulated by the likes of Adrian Roberts, a partner at a local law firm.

Of course in today’s economic environment the system must be efficient, but this must be balanced against the need to consider victims, witnesses and the families of those arrested.

The justice system is already beset by delays and numerous flaws, which cause anxiety for those who find themselves ensnared by it and by those who have suffered because of crime. Improvements, rather than cut backs, should be the order of the day.

And yet the best that our administrators can come up with is a new plan that will add hours to the travel times of those appearing at court. And while some might dress the new ideas up as being a good use of resources, the reality could be very different.

Lawyers will be able to spend less time with clients, the costs of representation is likely to rise and the principle of justice and equality faces being further eroded.

Solicitors who might usefully be spending time with clients will instead be stuck on the M54, clocking up fees while stuck behind the wheel of a car. Solicitors, defendants, witnesses and family members will all be affected if the plans go ahead. It is difficult to see – other than as a cost-saving measure – the merits of these proposals.