MP Acts to Make Justice Speedier in Scotland
26th November 2007
Des Browne MP is delighted justice in courts throughout Scotland will be speedier and more carefully-targeted as a result of legislation taken forward by the Scotland Office last week at Westminster.
Legislation made under the Scotland Act and debated in the Commons and Lords will mean that Justices of the Peace will soon have additional powers to disqualify drivers, or endorse licences, for offences including driving without insurance, careless driving and driving while disqualified. To allow this, last week’s legislation gives JPs the power to impose sanctions for road traffic offences, which are reserved to Westminster .
Des Browne MP said:
“This change means that JPs in the new courts will be better equipped to deal with a wider range of driving offences. Although it is a small measure it will aid the speeding up of the system. However crucially what this means is that Sheriff Courts can focus their resources on more serious criminal cases and in turn bring about a more efficient system.
This is an example of the UK Government working together with the Scottish Executive to deliver legislation which keeps pace with change and remains relevant to the people of Scotland.”
Scotland Office ministers are taking this legislation through Parliament following the Criminal Proceedings etc (Reform) ( Scotland ) Act 2007 – an act of the Scottish Parliament which received Royal Assent in February this year. This provided for the establishment of JP courts, which will handle some of the more serious cases usually heard in Sheriff Courts, and which will replace the old District Courts.
Many less serious cases currently handled by JPs will now be dealt with without going to court at all – for instance, by fixed penalty fines – leaving the new JP courts to deal with more serious examples of the offences they currently deal with – breach of the peace; theft; vandalism; common law assault and more serious motoring offences.
