Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Would You Run That By Me Again Please, Charlie?


The Lord Chancellor, in his recent announcement of the establishment of ten new 'community courts' said (inter alia):-
Because these communities - these 10 areas, and beyond, building on the success of Liverpool and Salford - will, I believe, experience a radical change in the coming years.

The perception of the court will change from an, old fashioned, impenetrable institution, to an accessible and accepted part of the community. A court that will make a visible difference to the day to day lives of the many, many decent people who live there.

So these community courts, and the principles I have set out which lie behind them, offer a new way forward for justice.

We need to do justice differently. Communities hit hard by crime want to see justice done in ways which connect more closely to the community.

To echo Lincoln's prescription for good government, we need courts which are of the community, by the community, and for the community.

These 10 new community courts will deliver the justice communities want to see.

Justice which is connected. Justice in which communities have confidence. Justice which is tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. Justice which is making a difference to people's lives. Justice which is improving communities.

Community justice.

Courts and communities. Working together. Working in partnership.

Working for safety. Working for security.

Working for society. Working for us all.


The whole speech is here. I have read it carefully and I am not at all sure what it means. Any offers?

Afterthought:-
Can anyone tell me what it is that community courts will do that magistrates' courts will not do, and vice versa?

No comments:

Post a Comment

Posts are pre-moderated. Please bear with us if this takes a little time, but the number of bores and obsessives was getting out of hand, as were the fake comments advertising rubbish.