This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Summary Justice Review Committee
30/11/2001
The membership of the committee appointed to review summary justice in Scotland was announced today.
Under the chairmanship of Sheriff Principal John McInnes, the committee has been established by the Executive to review the operation and efficiency of summary justice in the District Courts and Sheriff Courts across Scotland.
Its remit is "to review the provision of summary justice in Scotland, including the structures and procedures of the Sheriff Courts and District Courts as they relate to summary business and the inter-relation between the two levels of court, and to make recommendations for the more efficient and effective delivery of summary justice in Scotland".
Justice Minister Jim Wallace said:
"We want to promote a criminal justice system which is prompt and efficient. The great majority of criminal cases are dealt with in the summary courts and it is vital that they work well.
"We need to ensure that the structures we have in place take account of changes in law and changes in society. It is important to ensure that our courts meet public expectations of a modern, efficient and fair justice system.
"I am pleased that this review will be taken forward by a committee which can draw from a depth of expertise and wide range of interests involved in the provision of summary justice.
"The committee has a challenging remit and I look forward to receiving its recommendations for the more efficient and effective delivery of summary justice in Scotland."
Sheriff Principal McInnes said:
"The Committee has a substantial task ahead of it. The effective and efficient delivery of summary justice in Scotland is an essential component of our justice system and crucial to public confidence."
A review of the District Courts was announced last year by former Deputy Justice Minister Angus Mackay. The decision to widen the review was taken after early preparatory work showed that to confine the review to the District Courts would unnecessarily limit considerations which may concern summary justice as a whole. The first meeting of the committee took place today and it is anticipated that the review will take about 18 months.
The membership of the committee is:
Chairman
Sheriff Principal John McInnes
Members
Mr Jim McColl- Chief Executive, Clyde Blowers Ltd
Professor Peter Duff- Aberdeen University
Sheriff Brian Lockhart- Sheriff at Glasgow
Mr Tim Huntingford- Chief Executive, West Dunbartonshire Council
Mr Tom Dysart- Procurator Fiscal's Office, Glasgow
Mr Robin Christie- Stipendiary Magistrate, Glasgow District Court
Mrs Phyllis Hands- District Courts Association
Mrs Helen Murray- Justice of the Peace, Perth Commission Area
Chief Constable David Strang- Chief Constable, Dumfries and Galloway
Mr David McKenna- Chief Executive, Victim Support Scotland
Mr Cliff Binning- Scottish Court Service
Mr Alistair Duff- McCourts Solicitors, Edinburgh. The Law Society of Scotland
CoSLA and the Commission for Racial Equality have also been invited to provide members of the committee and are expected to do so in December.
Secretariat
Secretary: Mr Hugh Dignon, Scottish Executive Justice Department