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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Cost-cutting' justice criticised | 'Cost-cutting' justice criticised |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Decisions in courts in England and Wales are being made on the basis of cost not justice, say magistrates. | Decisions in courts in England and Wales are being made on the basis of cost not justice, say magistrates. |
| In a letter to the prime minister, the Magistrates' Association argues against the use of fixed penalty notices for the likes of public order offences. | In a letter to the prime minister, the Magistrates' Association argues against the use of fixed penalty notices for the likes of public order offences. |
| Magistrates say they are also unhappy budgets have been cut and many courtrooms have been closed. | |
| The government has said that it wants the courts to provide "speedy, simple, summary justice". | The government has said that it wants the courts to provide "speedy, simple, summary justice". |
| It has said courts - especially magistrates' courts - are clogged up with too many cases which they do not need to hear and can be dealt with administratively. | It has said courts - especially magistrates' courts - are clogged up with too many cases which they do not need to hear and can be dealt with administratively. |
| Public confidence | Public confidence |
| But the association says the increased use of measures like fixed penalty notices meant sentences were being decided on "financial grounds rather than judicial grounds". | But the association says the increased use of measures like fixed penalty notices meant sentences were being decided on "financial grounds rather than judicial grounds". |
| Its chairwoman Cindy Barnett said the situation dents public confidence in the criminal justice system. | Its chairwoman Cindy Barnett said the situation dents public confidence in the criminal justice system. |
| She told The Times: "Anger has really spilt over about the cost-cutting effects of government initiatives. | She told The Times: "Anger has really spilt over about the cost-cutting effects of government initiatives. |
| "We accept that there are enormous pressures, from, for example, the legal aid budget and that funding can't be unlimited. | "We accept that there are enormous pressures, from, for example, the legal aid budget and that funding can't be unlimited. |
| "But it is a basic necessity. Quality justice can only be provided by a properly-resourced court service. | "But it is a basic necessity. Quality justice can only be provided by a properly-resourced court service. |
| "Lack of proper support now severely threatens and debilitates the delivery of a modern well-run service." | "Lack of proper support now severely threatens and debilitates the delivery of a modern well-run service." |