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Thursday, 21 September 2017

STOP THE CLOCK ON COURT HOURS EXTENSION

The plan by HMCTS for flexible operating hours in courts has been postponed.  It was due to begin in November but had met much resistance from the legal profession. Magistrates haven`t been too vocal in their opposition. Ostensibly the delay is to allow a more thorough investigation into all aspects of the proposals. Such a confession is an indictment itself of the manner in which the timetable had been set. The clock has been stopped.  It is not unlikely that if and when this exercise to increase utilisation of courts is concluded the result will bear little relation to that which was originally intended.  The very verbiose and Twitter happy CEO of HMCTS has explained herself here.
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5 comments:

  1. Rogerborg22 September 2017 at 10:14

    I wonder if magistrates have been quiet on the matter as those for whom extended hours are unpalatable can simply withdraw their volunteer services and wish HMCTS the very best of luck.

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    1. Anonymous23 September 2017 at 16:58

      Magistrates are quiet because they will be subject to a conduct enquiry if they share personal views. Bench Chairmen are supposed to represent the bench and in turn advise the National Bench Chairman's Forum. Unfortunately the NBCF strings are pulled by HMCTS.

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  2. Admin22 September 2017 at 20:17

    I overheard a CPS advocate talking about this in court the other week, as our local Crown Court - Newcastle - was meant to be in the trial. The gist of what he was saying was "if they're prepared to put me up in a hotel if I finish after 9 pm and pay my expenses, then I'll consider it. If they don't - which they won't - I'll be refusing any work outside normal court hours". He's self-employed and does agency work for them, which may have been a factor in his pickiness.

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  3. Phil25 September 2017 at 09:24

    Not unreasonable

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  4. Phil25 September 2017 at 09:25

    Not an unreasonable comment

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