COURTHOUSE UNDER THREAT

THE Lisburn Solicitors Association has revealed plans by the Courts Service to move administrative staff from Lisburn Courthouse to Craigavon County Court.

They are deeply concerned that this move will be the thin end of the wedge, just the first step towards the eventual closure of the Lisburn Courthouse, a proposal that was mooted a few years ago.

The Chair and Secretary of the Lisburn Solicitors Association, Ann Roulston and Janice Spence, have said they have severe reservations about the move, the impact on both legal professionals, Court Service staff, victims, defendants and witnesses, as well as the implications it may have for the future of court services in Lisburn.

“We are deeply concerned to learn of the proposals to close the Court office in Lisburn City and we would question why local solicitors and those living in Lisburn and surrounding areas were not given any prior notification or opportunity to challenge these proposals at any stage.

“As officers of the court, local solicitors know only too well the value of the local court office and the real implications of its closure on the local economy and on the ability of the people of Lisburn to access justice.

“Questions must be asked of the decision makers as to why there was no consultation on this important decision and what impact assessment was undertaken.

“We are therefore calling on our local MLAs and MP to seek urgent answers to these questions.”

The Association is particularly concerned that the move, albeit as part of a pilot scheme, was not open to pubic consultation prior to its implementation.

The Association is hoping by opening the dialogue on the issue, a public meeting will be held to discuss the future of Lisburn Courthouse.

continued on page 3

Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for the Court Service said the new arrangements would not impact on the opening hours or services available at Lisburn Courthouse.

“Northern Ireland Courts & Tribunals Service is exploring the potential to pilot the reorganisation of back-office functions so that certain administrative activity would be carried out from one location in a County Court Division rather than being replicated across a number of different courthouses,” she said.

“The proposed pilot is solely about how NICTS organises its back-office, administrative functions. The proposals will not change the court calendar for either Lisburn or Craigavon, which is a matter for the Lord Chief Justice. Nor will the proposals result in any change to the opening hours of, or the services available at, either court office.”

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson shares the concerns of the Lisburn Solicitors Association and has raised the issue with the Justice Minister, David Ford MLA.

“I have raised this issue with the Justice Minister and have been given assurances that there is absolutely no intention of closing Lisburn Courthouse,” said Mr Donaldson, “but he did concede that the Court Service are transferring some of the administrative staff to the County Court office in Craigavon.

“I have registered an objection to this transfer and asked for discussions with the Head of the Northern Ireland Court Service to discuss , not only the transfer of staff but also what this means for the long term viability of Lisburn Court itself.”

Mr Donaldson continued: “What Lisburn needs is a new modern court facility. I have made this point to the Minister.

“Lisburn is a city and all the other cities in Northern Ireland have a court. It is time Northern Ireland Court Service gave us a facility fit for the 21st century,” he added.

Lagan Valley MLA and Chairman of the Stormont Justice Committee, Paul Givan MLA, said he would raise concerns with Court Service officials.

“After speaking with the Court Service they have assured me there are no plans to diminish the status of Lisburn Court House,” said Mr Givan. “The current process is looking at administration services between Lisburn and Craigavon and they said frontline services will not be impacted.

“The Court Service is carrying out a review of the estate and I have made it clear to the Minister and his officials that under no circumstances should the status of Lisburn Court House be diminished but instead what is needed is a new Court House with increased responsibilities.

“I will be meeting with officials in the near future and will be raising the concerns that have been expressed,” he concluded.

Related topics: