Alarm at plans for yet more closures of courts

New‘justice centres’ proposed Lenders increasing help to mortgage holders

A FRESH round of controversial court closures is being lined up beyond those already planned across Scotland.

The chief executive of the Scottish Court Service has said new “justice centres” could see areas such as the Borders moving all court business under one roof.

The plan outlined by Eric McQueen to MSPs on Holyrood’s Justice Committee was greeted with alarm by opposition politicians already trying to stop plans to shut 10 sheriff courts across the country.

Mr McQueen said feasibility studies on the new plan would begin by the end of this month, extending to areas in Strathclyde, Fife and the Highlands.

Justice centres could bring together courts, police, social work and victim support.

In the Borders, which is already facing the closure of courts in Duns and Peebles, talks will be held the week after next to seek agreement on the principle of the idea. The region still has sheriff courts at Jedburgh and Selkirk.

“There’s already a suggestion that in terms of location, Galashiels would make a good central hub in the Borders area,” Mr McQueen said. “We are very committed to it as a way of trying to improve the justice system and improve delivery.

“We will be sitting down with partners in the council and justice colleagues the week after next to start scoping out the feasibility and the practicality of trying to achieve that.”

The plan may involve further closures, leaving the region with just one court, he told the committee. “That’s something we will consider as part of the feasibility study,” he said.

Conservative John Lamont, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, later criticised the proposal. “This will come as a bombshell for rural communities right across the country,” he said.

“Given the backlash against court closures, it’s incredible to discover this may only be the beginning.”

Ten sheriff courts and seven justice of the peace courts are already earmarked for closure as part of a plan to save £4m a year in running and maintenance costs.

The list covers sheriff courts in Dornoch, Duns, Kirkcudbright, Peebles, Rothesay, Cupar, Dingwall, Arbroath, Haddington and Stonehaven.

Justice of the peace courts in Annan, Ir vine, Motherwell, Cumbernauld, Portree, Stornoway and Wick also face closure.

Earlier in the committee session, Mr McQueen insisted the plan would not add significant burdens.

“I would like to hope the MSPs here today do have trust in our professionalism and integrity,” he

Given the backlash against court closures, it’s incredible to discover that this may only be the beginning

said. “There is no way in the world we would be bringing forward plans where we thought the court was just going to spiral in terms of its performance.”

However, he faced a long list of concerns from MSPs trying to secure the future of courts in their areas. More rural areas will face travel problems, he was told by MSPs on the committee.

“What we can’t do is provide court services to meet every single issue across the whole of Scotland,” he said, adding that provision could be made for overnight stays. But someone not qualifying for legal aid may have to pay from their own pocket.

Opposition MSPs hope to overturn the plan to accept the recommendations and close the courts.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has said money could “be better spent improving services and facilities at a smaller number of courts”. A SPECTACULAR re-enactment of James IV’s visit to Traquair in the Scottish Borders will be the centrepiece for a medieval fair.

The event, a taste of which was on display yesterday, marks the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden, where the First Laird of Traquair fought and died.

The two-day event at Traquair House, which begins on Saturday, will feature a Royal pageant including horses and riders, a jousting tournament and displays of swordsmanship.

Traquair medieval fair organiser Catherine Maxwell Stuart said: “This attraction has a very personal link with the Battle of Flodden, so we felt it was fitting to mark the 500th anniversary of this significant event with a tribute to the first Laird of Traquair.

“With its horses, knights, music and displays, our medieval fair will give visitors a feel for many of the sights, sounds and smells our ancestors would have experienced and will provide them with a colourful and exciting Bank Holiday day out for the whole family.” MORTGAGE lenders are stepping up action to help up to 1.3 million interest-only customers who do not have enough cash to pay their loans back.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) will help lenders to put “effective” strategies in place to tackle the issue at an industry conference today.

Banks, building societies and regulators will discuss “key issues” given recent findings that people are failing to put enough money aside on up to half of the 2.6 million interest-only mort- gages in the UK which are due for repayment over the next 30 years.

Estimates suggest that around half these shortfalls will be more than £50,000.

The Financial Conduct Authority fears consumers are underestimating the scale of the problem and lenders have agreed to alert the most at-risk customers to help them avoid “payment shocks”.

Some borrowers could have to sell their home to pay the loan back if they do not take stronger control of their repayment planning. The initial focus is on people whose mortgages are set to finish before the end of 2020.

The CML has said that the most important issue for lenders in the interest-only market is exactly how to engage with customers and make sure they are fully aware of their obligation to repay the capital when the mortgage term ends.

A spokesman for the CML said that the organisation’s conference had been called to enable industry bodies to share information and their experiences, using the FCA’s report as a “springboard”.

Interest-only mortgages have become much more thin on the ground since the boom years amid concerns about people not being able to pay back their debt.

Toughened rules are also coming in next year to make sure borrowers can only take out mortgages they can afford to pay back.

Lenders may be able to offer alternatives to some customers to help them avoid having to sell their home in order to repay the mortgage.

The FCA has told consumers that they must be prepared to communicate with lenders.