Justice secretary hopes to make savings by closing "idle" courts
Justice Secretary Michael Gove has indicated that budget savings could be made by closing some of the “courts that stand idle for days and weeks on end”.
In a wide-ranging speech at the Legatum Institute this week, Gove described the failings of the “creaking, outdated” justice system, and championed recent calls for online courts and more electronic working—Professor Richard Susskind recently wrote a paper for the Civil Justice Council which set out the case for online courts. Gove also praised the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby’s view that, by using plain English rather than legalese, replacing paper forms with simple questions online and automating much of the administrative process, many issues could be resolved more quickly, often without the involvement of the judiciary at all.
Gove said online solutions and telephone and video hearings could make justice easier to access as well as reduce our dependence on “an ageing and ailing court estate” which costs around one third of the entire courts and tribunals budget. He said more than a third of courts and tribunals last year sat for less than half their available hours.
He acknowledged the profession’s pro bono work, with many large firms committing to 25 hours per year per fee earner, but said “much more” was needed. He promised to work with leaders in the profession to examine what could be done.
Jo Edwards, chair of family law group Resolution, says: “I hope this statement signals a change of direction from the new government, as removing legal aid has exacerbated the ‘justice gap’ in this country significantly over the past few years.
“Pro bono legal services are plugging many gaps at the moment, but expecting the legal profession to deliver free services as a matter of course, as Mr Gove has suggested, is unsustainable as a long term solution.”
Jeremy Robson, senior lecturer, Nottingham Law School, said there seemed to be a “clear change in message from that of his predecessor”, and that legal aid lawyers could face “some respite to the ruthless cuts they have sustained in recent years”.
However, he warned of the impact on rural areas. “In many rural areas a local magistrates’ court, whilst only sitting part time provides justice at a local level and prevents witnesses and defendants from lengthy and expensive journeys. Many rural areas have already experienced closures and those courts which have taken over their case load have experienced the frustration of cases being delayed due to public transport delays.”
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