Lawyers slam pilot studies on extended court hours

Leading lawyers have slammed government plans to run expensive pilot studies testing extended magistrates' court sitting hours.Lord Chancellor's Department minister Michael Willis told Parliament this week that the government has made 5.4 million available for pilots in London and Manchester.Graham White, chairman of the Law Society's criminal law committee, said: 'I doubt whether it will prove to be money well spent.

Night courts have been shown not to work in New York and I can't see them working here.'To operate them would cost a fortune, with overtime payments to court staff and enhanced rates for solicitors working in the evenings.

I feel the money could have been put to better use.'Rodney Warren, vice-chairman of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association, said justice was being delivered as fast as possible at present, and there was a danger of trying to push cases through courts too quickly.'The government must remember that they are running the criminal justice system and not Tescos in competition with Asda,' he said.

'There is a risk of demeaning the value of courts in the eye of the public.'Law Society President David McIntosh added: 'We await the detailed results with interest.

It is essential that defendants' access to proper legal representation is not impaired by the courts sitting in the evenings.'The pilot studies will address such issues as what hours the courts should be open, the costs and benefits for victims and witnesses, the impact on court productivity, and the effect on public confidence.Andrew Towler