§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the pilot for extended courts in Manchester and London will commence; when the courts will start and close business; and for how long the pilots will run. [42793]
§ Mr. WillsThe two pilot schemes are due to commence in spring 2002. The proposed plans for Manchester and London are different. They are:
- (i) The pilot at Manchester city magistrates court is planned to support the key criminal justice objectives of access to justice, reducing delay and improving services to victims and witnesses. The pilot courts will have an earlier start from 9am for three adult remand courts from Monday to Friday. Additional sittings for trials will take place in two court rooms from 4pm until 8pm on two evenings per week (Tuesday and Thursday).
- (ii) In London the plan is for Bow Street magistrates court to support the objective of arrest and straight to court by dealing immediately with evening arrests and to evaluate if this will deter criminals and provide reassurance to the public. One court will sit from 6pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.
Both pilots will run for approximately six months. The actual start dates and full details of the schemes will be given in a press notice which will be released when all of the aspects for the working protocols are agreed and finalised with the agencies involved.