Government to increase number of civil courts by 15%

The number of civil courts will increase by at least 15% over the next few years, the Lord Chancellor's Department announced last week.

A Court Service report 'Modernising the civil and family courts' included proposals to build 93 primary hearing centres, which will be based in existing county and combined court centres and will act as the main venue for family and civil hearings.

Local hearing venues will also be introduced to improve access to hearings in rural areas.

These will take place in existing county courts or through partnerships with magistrates' courts or hired venues.

Fifty- two are expected to sit on a full-time basis and 130 part-time.

Law Society President David McIntosh welcomed the announcement but warned: 'It is essential that the government provides sufficient funding for its modernisation programme to be properly implemented, enabling courts to be efficiently run and ensuring the long-term success of civil justice reforms.'

Victoria MacCallum