The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) is consulting on a proposal to move Coatbridge Justice of the Peace Court 1.4 miles from its current location to a building opposite Airdrie Sheriff Court. Consultation closes 30 July 2018.
The relocation would co-locate the Court with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in Graham Street, Airdrie and provide a modern, purpose built courtroom facility with improved and accessible facilities for court users.
The current Coatbridge facility, owned by North Lanarkshire Council, requires urgent investment in priority repairs and the SCTS identifies savings in opting to invest in the new building right across the street from the existing Sheriff Court.
SCTS Chief Operations Officer, David Fraser said: “In the 2013 review of court structures, the report identified our intention to relocate the JP Court to Airdrie. We do not have the capacity in Airdrie Sheriff Court building so this is a real opportunity to meet that objective, moving towards a justice centre model, and bring real benefits to court users.”
In terms of efficiency the new court would remove the requirement for SCTS staff, fiscals and defence agents to shuttle between the courts on sitting days and would provide a modern courtroom environment including an additional vulnerable witness suite.
We are keen to hear views on these proposals, particularly any local or specialised impact these proposals might have. We want to work with our court community to make this a successful and beneficial transition.“
Details of the consultation are available at: Consultations
Notes for Editors
Consultation on the relocation of the JP Court currently sitting at Coatbridge closes 30 July 2018.
The current Coatbridge Justice of the Peace Court sits for four day a week. There are no counter services or staff located there.
The new building is at 87 Graham Street Airdrie ML6 6DE
To relocate a court, the SCTS would require to seek a Parliamentary Order.
Shaping Scotland’s Court Services 2013