Councillor’s call to prioritise new ‘justice centre’ for Kirkcaldy

Claims ‘multi-use’ building needed to prevent justice system from grinding to a halt

Replacing Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court must be made a priority, it has been claimed.

The town’s leading councillor, Neil Crooks, said the establishment of a multi-use “justice centre” is essential to ensure the legal system can operate effectively in central Fife.

It comes after The Courier revealed Kirkcaldy police station could soon house sheriff court business amid concerns about the adequacy of the building.

Having recently chaired a stakeholder group tasked with determining possible solutions to the crisis, Mr Crooks said that a purpose-built facility was the only answer.

“There is no doubt that Kirkcaldy needs a solution to the challenges at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court,” he said.

“I hosted a few meetings over recent months with stakeholders to discuss what that solution may be and we all agreed that a multi-use justice centre was required.

“Contact with the Scottish Government by council officials earlier this year established that there was no funding to deliver this, despite it being the current number one priority for the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service.

“I think it is astonishing that since 2006, with an outline business case highlighting all of the failings of Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court at that time, that no one has planned the investment to address these major failings.”

Hosting court services for much of central Fife, Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court is understood to be under severe strain following a surge in the number of jury trials.

There has also been criticism of the court’s layout, with accusations witnesses and criminals have been allowed to pass each other on internal stairwells.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said staff are examining the possibility of using the town’s police station to host jury trials, with a spokesperson acknowledging that there was a “need for improvement” in the town’s facilities.

Mr Crooks said a clear plan of action was needed to ensure that the local justice system did not grind to a halt.

There is no doubt that Kirkcaldy needs a solution to the challenges at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. COUNCILLOR NEIL CROOKS

Picture: Kris Miller. Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court building has been criticised as inadequate.