Her Majesty's Courts Service begins today
More offenders will be brought to justice, victims and witnesses will have better facilities for giving evidence and enforcement of court orders will be even tougher under Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) which begins operating today.
For the first time all 650 Crown, county and magistrates' courts in England and Wales now come under one administrative roof. This ends the previously long-standing separation between magistrates' courts, which were administered by a total of 42 independent local committees, and the Government-run Court Service that ran the Court of Appeal, the High Court and all Crown and county courts.
The creation of HMCS marks a culmination of four years of reform in the courts, providing greater efficiency and consistency in practices, procedures, management and funding.
Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said:
"It removes unnecessary duplication and ensures greater uniformity of approach across all courts."
"The relationship between people and the courts will be improved because it is easier for people to get what they need from one organisation only. It will also be less complicated with just one standard of service so that no matter where you are in the country, when you need to deal with the courts you know what to expect."
Her Majesty's Courts Service will spearhead partnerships between the courts, criminal justice agencies and others involved with tackling the concerns of local communities. Priorities include:
- Tackling crime leading to safer communities as the total number of crimes for which offenders are brought to justice rises to 1.25 million by 2008/09 leading to safer communities
- Better facilities for victims, witnesses and vulnerable people in all courts, including separate waiting rooms and the ability to testify via video-link
- Reducing the amount of wasted time for witnesses, jurors, police, families and those needing to resolve their disputes as cases proceed on time and more effectively with better co-operation across all courts and agencies
- Tougher enforcement providing the home for the newly established National Enforcement Service and more consistent and modern ways for offenders to pay their fines—meaning that there will be no excuse to ignore court orders
HMCS will have 20,000 staff and work with 30,000 judges and magistrates. In addition, accountability to the local community will be an important element of the new agency. HMCS will work in partnership with 42 Courts Boards that will each have local representation. Consequently, the boards will give local people a say in how their courts operate.
The Courts Boards will scrutinise, review and make recommendations about how local courts are run, where they are located and how the level of service for court users can be improved. They will not be involved in any judicial decisions, like sentencing, but will fulfil an advisory role to identify and meet local needs.
Chief Executive of HMCS Sir Ronald De Witt said:
"There is a single point of access to all the courts, ending the confusion that previously existed. This, in turn, will improve this important public service.
"Removing the overheads of running 43 separate organisations enables HMCS to divert more resources to front-line services such as providing better access to consistent information about what to do if you're visiting court for the first time, whether as a juror, witness or defendant.
"Those are the services that the public need and want, to see justice done or to settle disputes.
"There are also opportunities to use the combined estate more imaginatively, providing greater convenience for court users such as victims, witnesses and jurors.
"There is no doubt that a single organisation makes it easier to provide a modern, first class service to the public."
1. In his Review of the Criminal Justice System in 2001, Sir Robin Auld recommended a "single and nationally funded administrative structure, but one providing significant local autonomy and accountability."
2. Magistrates' courts deal with 95 per cent of criminal cases.
3. HMCS HQ is in Victoria Street, London.
4. HMCS has 42 areas, each with an Area Director. These match the current Criminal Justice System Areas. There are also seven Regional Directors.
5. Establishing HMCS is expected to cost £45 million over three years. This includes the transfer of estate, putting everyone onto a single payroll system, recruiting a new management team, programme management, general administration and IT. However, a single agency is expected to produce improved efficiency amounting to approx. £20 million annually.