Battle now on to fight court closure threat
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DORNOCH Sheriff Court is on a hit list of 11 courts across Scotland earmarked for closure, it has finally been confirmed.
Fears that the Sutherland court, which only operates four days a month, might not have a long-term future first surfaced some years ago, but have been denied up until now.
Confirmation finally came late last week when the Scottish Court Service (SCS) unveiled for public consultation its cost-cutting plans for a major shake-up of the service.
East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Jim McGillivray is strongly opposed to the closure move and has called on Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and SCS officials to visit Dornoch courthouse and discuss the issue.
Under the proposals, which are now out for consultation, 11 of Scotland’s 49 sheriff courts, including Dornoch and Dingwall, would shut. The other courts affected are located in the south.
If the plans go through, cases which would normally have been called in Dornoch will in future be heard in Tain.
Sutherland lost its JP Court, which was held in the sheriff court building, two years ago when it was transferred to Tain because of the low level of business.
Criminal cases are currently heard at Dornoch over two days at the start of the month, with civil cases taking up another two days.
Thousands of pounds have been invested in recent years to bring the historic building, located between the Castle Hotel and the Jail gift shop, up to a modern day standard.
However, SCS executive director Eric McQueen has made it clear that changes are needed.
He said: "Many of our court buildings were built in Victorian times and are both expensive to maintain and difficult to adapt to modern needs.
"Fewer court buildings would allow SCS to target future investment to ensure that the best possible facilities and level of service is available for all court users but more particularly for victims, witnesses and vulnerable people."
Ward councillor Mr McGillivray claimed that, rather than closing the Dornoch court house, SCS should consider making it a centre of business in the North.
"SCS is looking to centralise in Inverness and Tain but there are difficulties with these court houses which are both in congested areas with access problems and a lack of car parking near by. SCS should be looking to enhance provision in Dornoch and Dingwall," he maintained.
Mr McGillivray claimed that, given the history of the building, to sell it would be a "tragedy."
He added: "I have invited both Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Eric McQueen to come to Dornoch and sit in the court house and speak to me.
"Kenny MacAskill managed to come to Brora to open a 5-a-side football pitch earlier this year so he should be able to come to Dornoch. Then we will see who blinks first."
Meanwhile constituency SNP MSP Rob Gibson MSP believes the Highlands and Islands should be treated as a "special case."
He said: "I will urge Kenny MacAskill to tread carefully with court closures. The Government needs to measure the carbon footprint of forcing witnesses, victims and accused persons to travel further, especially in winter conditions."
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart called the proposals "short sighted."
He said: "Yes, there will be savings in building and associated costs, but any real savings will be lost to the increased expenses having to be claimed by all who have to travel much further to attend Court.
"This is not to mention increased costs for the extra distance accused people will have to be escorted. There will also be associated costs to the police service where officers need to appear as witnesses – it will mean higher costs and less bobbies on the beat.
"The Government need to have a rethink of this plan, carry out a proper consultation exercise and apply common sense and logic to such plans before they implement them."
The public consultation regarding court closures ends on 21st December. For further information and to make your views known, visit: www.scot-courts.gov.uk/consultations/index.asp/
Residents register interest if court does close
LOCAL residents are being urged to back a possible community buy-out of Dornoch Court House.
Dornoch Focus Group is hoping to register an interest in the building under Land Reform legislation.
However, support is required from at least 10 per cent of the registered electorate in the parish. Provost of Dornoch Yvonne Ross, who is also a member of the Focus Group, said that forms had been distributed to local shops. She said: "I would appeal to local people to sign the note of interest forms.
"The court house is a beautiful, old building and very well maintained. We would like it to be in community ownership."
The note of interest does not commit the group to buying the court house but does ensure they are made aware of any move to sell it.
