§ Shona McIsaacTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure that unqualified existing court clerks can become qualified as a solicitor or barrister without significant disruption to the work of(a) the courts and (b) the individuals concerned. [60194]
§ Mr. HoonProfessionalisation is an essential part of the plans to modernise the magistrates' courts. It will equip legal advisers to handle new responsibilities and future changes in the legal system. It is important that everyone has confidence in the status and qualification of those advising lay justices.
After careful consideration of the impact on the magistrates courts and individuals, I have decided that those existing court clerks who will be aged 40 or older on 1 January 1999 will not be required to qualify, although they may do so if they wish. A number of training options will be made available to those existing court clerks required to qualify under the new rules. They are all study programmes designed for people engaged in full-time employment and include day release, distance 369W learning, evening or weekend study. I am asking magistrates' courts committees to give existing court clerks up to one day off for each week of study, or time off in lieu if they do not select a day release option.
The Lord Chancellor's Department will meet the cost of tuition and the required study leave. The Department will also make funds available to meet the costs of care for children or other dependent relatives, such as the disabled and the elderly, where this responsibility would pose a problem for those undergoing training. Reasonable costs of necessary travel and accommodation will also be met. Magistrates' courts committees will be asked to provide details of every individual's training needs so that appropriate training arrangement can be made to meet the needs of the individual and the courts committees as far as possible.