Background
Unification of the administration of the summary courts, which deal with 96% of all criminal court cases, is an important step in delivering an efficient and effective summary justice system. It will be achieved by giving the Scottish Courts Service, an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government Justice Department, responsibility for the administration of all courts.
Unification will create a single, clearly identifiable agency responsible for the administration of all courts - making it easier for criminal justice agencies to work effectively together.
The benefits of unification are:
- consistent planning and delivery of good quality court services across Scotland by a single service provider - Scottish Courts Service;
- a single set of procedures and a single IT system;
- a system whose organisation is more transparent and more accountable;
- increased flexibility in the use of court resources;
- scope to implement improvements in practice quickly and effectively; and
- facilitating more effective fine enforcement.
It is expected that the Sheriffdom of North Strathclyde will unify during the financial year 2008-2009. It was decided that unification should take place at this time to ensure that account would be taken of the experiences and lessons learned from the first two Sheriffdoms to unify (Lothian & Borders and Grampian, Highland and Islands).
One of the first steps in the process will be the formation of a planning and implementation team. The purpose of this team is to allow change to be managed effectively, lessons to be learned and applied, and to implement local initiatives and solutions to fit the needs of individual communities. This team will be formed during 2007.
Further information will be added as the Sheriffdom of North Strathclyde moves towards unification.