Northamptonshire Press Release
Press Release - embargoed to 30 November 2001
The report of the second inspection of the Northamptonshire Magistrates' Courts Committee (MCC) is published today. It contains findings based on data gathered during April 2001 and a period of field inspection undertaken during June 2001. Inspectors also sought the views of an extensive range of people throughout the county, including staff, magistrates, and professional users of the courts.
The inspection focused on three main areas of court business:
Strategic Management and Corporate Governance (the way the Committee gives direction to the Service, and ensures regularity, propriety and probity in its undertakings)
Administration of Cases (the way courts organise cases and process information)
Care of Court Users (including the facilities, treatment and written information available to court users)
Inspectors found evidence of good leadership by the MCC, and staff have responded positively to recent organisational changes. A climate of good communication is being re-established, following the restructuring period. There has been good co-operation with other local agencies in addressing youth justice issues.
Case completion times in Northamptonshire are particularly good, comparing favourably with national statistics. The flexible approach to how and where cases are listed for trial has helped this strong performance. The planned review of listing practices should enable the MCC to optimise further the use of court resources, while taking account of the needs of other agencies.
There is a shortage of magistrates in the area, which the MCC is seeking to address, in close co-operation with local Advisory Committees.
Inspectors acknowledge the commitment of the Northamptonshire MCC to ensuring that court users receive good, and improving, services. To assist the MCC in this aim, the report makes three recommendations, with particular reference to issues of safety and security, and to the provision of information about the court and its procedures.
HM Chief Inspector of the Magistrates' Courts Service, Kit Chivers, commented, This is an MCC which is performing well by national standards, and which takes seriously the need to co-ordinate its work with that of the other criminal justice agencies such as the Police and the CPS. It has just completed a major re-organisation which offers the prospect of even greater efficiency.
MCC Response
The Committee is pleased to note the acknowledgement of its commitment to ensuring the delivery of a good and improving service to all court users, its strong performance in tackling delays and its leadership and communication skills. The report reflects the efforts of the Committee and its staff to achieve excellence in all areas of its work.
Notes for Editors
Magistrates' Courts Committees
Magistrates' Courts are funded by local authorities (20%) and by the Lord Chancellor's Department (80%). The management of the courts is the responsibility of their local MCC - a committee composed of magistrates from the area.
Northamptonshire MCC contact:
Mr N M Clarke
Justices' Chief Executive
Northamptonshire MCC, Regent's Pavilion, Summerhouse Road
Moulton Park,
Northampton NN3 6BJ
Tel: 01604 497000
Fax: 01604 497010 and 497020
E-mail: nclarke@northants-mcs.gov.uk
HM Magistrates' Court Service Inspectorate
MCSI is headed by the Chief Inspector, Kit Chivers. Inspectors are based at MCSI's headquarters in London, and at its regional offices in Bristol and Leeds.
MCSI is independent of the magistrates' court service and of the Lord Chancellor's Department. On inspection matters, Mr Chivers reports directly to the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg.
MCSI's inspection reports are public documents. Copies of MCSI publications, including annual reports and thematic reviews, may be obtained from:
Lori Buckley,
Publications Manager,
MCSI
Block 2,
Government Buildings,
Burghill Road
Westbury-on-Trym,
Bristol BS10 6EZ
Tel: 0117 950 7960,
Fax 0117 950 0408
E-mail: lori.buckley@mcsi.gsi.gov.uk