David Stewart MSP Condemns Court Closures

11th June 2013

Following yesterdays (11th June) sitting of the Justice Committee, SNP MSPs damaged access to justice, local jobs and businesses by voting to close local courts in, Dingwall Dornoch and Rothesay and others across Scotland.

Business from Dingwall and Dornoch will be transferred to Inverness and Tain Sheriff Courts by 2015.

Justice of the Peace Courts in Portree, Stornoway and Wick will all close under the programme of cuts by November.

More closures could be in the pipeline.

Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP, David Stewart said:“SNP MSPs on the Justice Committee have chosen their party over principles. Instead of standing up for access to justice, local jobs and businesses, they voted to close local courts.”

“More closures could be in the pipeline.”

“I want a guarantee from Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill that no more court closures across the region are on the way.”

“I believe local access to justice is a matter of principle. The committee’s decision means victims and witnesses will travel further and these town centers will lose jobs and business.”