FEARS have emerged that the public's chance of having its say in running courthouses such as Northwich Magistrates Court could be lost to central Government, if modernisation plans go ahead.

A Government Bill is currently working its way through Parliament that contains plans to abolish Magistrates Court Committees (MCCs) for a new, centralised, Government-controlled system.

The Cheshire Magistrates Courts Committee is made up of people living in the county and is responsible for the delivery of justice in the area, the court staff, the training of staff and magistrates and a £6 million budget.

The Government's proposals will replace all 42 of such committees with a handful of regional advisory councils.

Control

This would extend the powers of Lord Irvine, the Lord Chancellor, and effectively hand control of local justice to the Government.

Concerns have been raised by MCCs that this would cut out any involvement of local people in decisions that affect the local administration of justice.

John Meredith, chairman of the Cheshire branch of the Magistrates Association, said: "An effective national framework is required, setting strong national standards for the way our courts are administered. That makes sense, there does need to be modernisation.

"But our vision of a modern justice system is not about increased centralisation by the Lord Chancellor. Higher standards are best achieved through strong local delivery by those who best understand local needs.

"As things stand, this will not happen and the outcome is all too predictable. What is proposed is yet another huge, centrally run, monolithic agency, lacking any local input and proper accountability to local people.

"It really will herald the end of local justice as we know it."

jsawyer@guardiangrp.co.uk