BETTER COURT FACILITIES IN BRIDLINGTON & BEVERLEY

24 Jul 2002 10:10 AM

Lord Chancellor opens two of three new courts in Humberside

Better court facilities for people in Humberside were confirmed today when the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, opened magistrates' courts in Bridlington and Beverley, two of three brand new courts in Humberside.

Bridlington Magistrates' Court, along with Beverley and Hull have been built under the £23 million Humberside Magistrates Court Committee Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Project - the first magistrates' court scheme to be fully operational under Public Private Partnership (PPP).

This is one of 13 Magistrates PPP schemes that will provide over 30 new court buildings in England and Wales over the next 4-5 years.

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, said: "These new magistrates' courts in Beverley and Bridlington highlight the Government's commitment to modernise the Criminal Justice System and ensure efficient local justice. They illustrate how PPPs enable the public and private sectors to work together to improve standards of service, ensuring a balance of control and allowing Humberside Magistrates' Courts' Committee to continue to operate the courts."

"The new courthouses in Hull, Beverley and Bridlington will provide improved, modern facilities for victims of crime, witnesses, the professions and other people who use the courts. The new buildings will have separate and secure waiting facilities for all, segregated waiting areas for family, youth and adult defendants, secure custody facilities and secure circulation routes for staff around the buildings."

"This is an example of how PFIs should and do work with £23 million worth of private sector investment; 100 new jobs created during construction; and a project completed on time. I pay tribute to all those involved and am impressed by the commitment and involvement of the local community."

The courts have been built by Modern Courts (Humberside) Ltd under a contract signed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council as part of the Government's private finance initiative (PFI).

The Lord Chancellor also opened the Citizenlink pilot - stand alone purpose built kiosks with video links to East Riding of Yorkshire Council's customer service centres that offer 24 hour public access. Citizenlink enables people in remote areas to discuss council services face to face with staff and get independent advice on a range of issues including welfare benefits, debt, housing, and unemployment.

The Lord Chancellor said: "Citizenlink is an innovative way of giving people from isolated and deprived communities access to good quality legal advice and information. People should not be excluded from these services just because they are not able to travel to a local law firm or a Citizens Advice Bureau. Lack of advice and information adds to existing problems of social exclusion and I welcome this imaginative approach alleviating these problems."

The Citizenlink pilot is jointly funded by Legal Services Commission (LSC), the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Yorkshire Forward (Yorkshire and Humber Regional Development Agency). The Citizenlink pilot is currently under evaluation by the LSC.

Notes for Editors:

1. Magistrates' Courts' Committees, comprising of local magistrates, have a statutory responsibility for the efficient and effective administration of the magistrates' courts in their area. Magistrates' courts are owned or leased by the paying authority (generally the local authority) on behalf of the magistrates' courts service. They are not Crown property.

2. Modern Courts Humberside Limited is a consortium including John Mowlem Investments, Innisfree, John Mowlam Limited and Acumen. Advisers to the project are: Pricewaterhouse Coopers
(lead/financial), Nabaro Nathanson (legal) and Servus (technical).

3. The three courts have been open for business since November 2001.

4. Citizenlink is part of the broader Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP) network to improve access to legal advice and guidance through innovative approaches to service delivery. The CLSP is the cornerstone of the Government's programme of legal reform aimed at increasing access to justice for ordinary people. The CLSP makes it easier for the public to get grassroots legal help and advice and is a key weapon in combating social exclusion.

ENDS