SCOTTISH LABOUR MSP Claire Baker met solicitors over potential changes to Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court that could see jury trials moved out the town.
The meeting withKirkcaldy Law Society, which is a representative body for solicitors who practise within the jurisdiction of Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, comes just days before the closing date for the consultation on the future of Scottish Court Services tomorrow.
The consultation proposes the movement of jury trials away from Kirkcaldy, the closure of the Kirkcaldy Justice of the Peace building and the closure of Cupar Sheriff Court.
The meeting discussed the potential adverse effects that the proposed changes could have on access of justice.
Concerns raised included the failure to deliver justice locally, limits in the number of courts that would be available, and the cost and travel implications for those who live in areas such as Levenmouth.
The changes inKirkcaldy will take place despite figures obtained by Claire Baker showing that moving jury trials from Kirkcaldy to Dunfermline Sheriff Court could lead to an increase in trials by 283%.
If the statistics for the court year of 2011-12 remained the same when these proposed changes are applied, Dunfermline Sheriff Court could see an increase in sitting days by 172% and an increase of indictments by 196%, leading to fears of delays.
The potential closures comes on the back of the Scottish Government’s draft budget, which sees the Scottish Court Service issued with a £10.9 million budget cut over the next two years.
Mrs Baker said: “Fife deserves a system that makes it easier for victims to have justice delivered, not a system that sees them waiting for their turn. These changes are not being made for the benefit of the people of Fife but due to SNP slashing the courts budget.”