Devon & Cornwall Courts Board

The Devon & Cornwall Courts Board works in partnership with Her Majesty’s Courts Service to achieve effective and efficient administration of the Crown, County and Magistrates courts within the Devon and Cornwall area. The Courts Board does not manage or administer the courts, its role as a non-executive body is to give advice and make constructive recommendations to foster improvement in the administrative services provided. The Courts Board has no remit to question judicial decisions or the work of the judiciary. It is not a forum for challenging or discussing judicial decisions.

The Courts Board uses its independent judgement to ensure that the perspectives of the local community and court users are taken into account. The focus of the work is to consider administrative issues affecting courts that have an impact in Devon and Cornwall. The Courts Board welcomes and encourages inputs and comments from all members of the public on such administrative issues. All comments will be considered and will be used to inform Board members of the public view.

Board Members

Dr. Norman Hughes - Chairman
	Norman Hughes, who lives and was educated in Devon, has extensive management and leadership experience in the Royal Air Force and at Exeter University. He has served as a magistrate for 10 years and has played a prominent role in the management of the Devon and Cornwall Magistrates’ Courts since 2002. "I intend to put my knowledge and experience to good use to ensure that the Devon and Cornwall Courts Service is seen to be one of the best in the country".
Katharine Heathcote
	Katharine Heathcote is a solicitor with a background in commercial trusts and employment law who moved to Devon 12 years ago to lecture in commercial law at Exeter University. "I have been a co-opted member of the Magistrates’ Courts Committee for Devon and Cornwall, and have acted as assistant editor of a legal journal - I’m also vice-chair of Governors for the primary school where three of my four children are schooled".
Dr. Sue Prince
	Sue Prince is a lecturer in law at Exeter University where she has both worked and studied for the past 14 years. She has recently conducted research into the use of alternative dispute resolution at Exeter County Court both for the Civil Justice Council and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
Linda Williams
	Linda Williams has worked in Devon since 1978, mainly in the Careers Service, including a period as Devon's county careers adviser for special needs. "In recent years I have also been involved in representing customers as a member of the Gas Consumer Council and Chair of Exeter Age Concern's »Senior Voice’ project - I am currently a non-executive director of a NHS Trust, as well as serving as a magistrate in Devon".
Becky Martin
	Becky Martin is one of the Board members appointed from the local community, and lives and works in Cornwall. Her background is in nursing but she is currently employed in horticulture. She is a secondary school governor and works as a volunteer mentor for young ex-offenders. "My work on Referral Order panels is particularly rewarding. It is an example of restorative justice operating within the community".
HH Judge Phillip Wassall
	His Honour Judge Philip Wassall was appointed a Stipendiary Magistrate in 1994, sitting in both criminal and family jurisdictions. Since that time he has held a variety of judicial posts. In 1998 he was appointed as a Recorder of the Crown Court and later as a Recorder of the County Court and became a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts). In 2002 he moved to sit in London and was based at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court. He sat on the Legal Committee advising the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate/Senior Judge between 1995 and 2004. In 2004 he was appointed to the Circuit Bench and sits in the Crown and County Courts within Devon and Cornwall. His principal court is Truro.
Terry Roberts
	Terry Roberts is the second Board member appointed from the local community and has lived in Devon for all of his life. He is a retired police officer and has since worked with County Council, charitable and health organisations and has been a Governor for the RDE Hospital Foundation Trust in Exeter. He is also Chair of the Exeter District Branch of the Alzheimer's Society and recruitment panel member for new doctors at the Peninsula Medical School.