04/06/2004
Unified Court Service gets new name
The Court Service and independent magistrates courts are to merge into a single executive agency called 'Her Majesty's Courts Service' (HMCS), it has been announced today.
The new body will bring all courts in England and Wales under one administrative roof. It will have 20,000 staff and work with 30,000 judges and magistrates.
The move will end the long-standing division between locally run magistrates courts, and the Court Service, which runs all courts below the House of Lords (Crown, County and Higher Courts).
Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said the move would make court work "more transparent, remove unnecessary duplication and ensure greater uniformity of approach".
He said: "Her Majesty's Courts Service is not just about a new name for a new justice agency. It forms an important part of a much wider, long-term programme to improve and modernise the justice system and, in so doing, increase public confidence."
HMCS will come into effect from April 2005 but it is currently operating in shadow form during this transition year.
(gmcg)
The new body will bring all courts in England and Wales under one administrative roof. It will have 20,000 staff and work with 30,000 judges and magistrates.
The move will end the long-standing division between locally run magistrates courts, and the Court Service, which runs all courts below the House of Lords (Crown, County and Higher Courts).
Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said the move would make court work "more transparent, remove unnecessary duplication and ensure greater uniformity of approach".
He said: "Her Majesty's Courts Service is not just about a new name for a new justice agency. It forms an important part of a much wider, long-term programme to improve and modernise the justice system and, in so doing, increase public confidence."
HMCS will come into effect from April 2005 but it is currently operating in shadow form during this transition year.
(gmcg)
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22 August 2011
Man Charged With Murder Of Chatham Woman
A man has been charged with the murder of a 32-year-old woman who was found dead at her home in Chatham earlier this month. Jennie Banner was found dead at her flat in New Road on August 19. Marcus Coates, 43, of Ernest Way, Chatham, was charged with murder on August 21. He is due to appear before Medway magistrates court today.
Man Charged With Murder Of Chatham Woman
A man has been charged with the murder of a 32-year-old woman who was found dead at her home in Chatham earlier this month. Jennie Banner was found dead at her flat in New Road on August 19. Marcus Coates, 43, of Ernest Way, Chatham, was charged with murder on August 21. He is due to appear before Medway magistrates court today.
16 August 2004
Six charged over Tube station death
Six people have been charged in relation to the killing of a 19-year-old man who was stabbed at a London Tube station on Thursday. British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police were called in to Hounslow West Underground station at 11.20pm on Thursday.
Six charged over Tube station death
Six people have been charged in relation to the killing of a 19-year-old man who was stabbed at a London Tube station on Thursday. British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police were called in to Hounslow West Underground station at 11.20pm on Thursday.
23 October 2009
Crackdown On Fine Dodgers
Six hundred of the Scotland's 'worst fine dodgers' are being targeted in a crackdown by the Scottish Court Service on those who attempt to 'avoid the ends of justice'.
Crackdown On Fine Dodgers
Six hundred of the Scotland's 'worst fine dodgers' are being targeted in a crackdown by the Scottish Court Service on those who attempt to 'avoid the ends of justice'.
05 October 2004
Magistrates secure access to credit reference database
Magistrates across England and Wales will soon have unprecedented access to a database to help them track down hard-to-find offenders who have defaulted on court penalties. When people move on, Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs) currently have no means to track them.
Magistrates secure access to credit reference database
Magistrates across England and Wales will soon have unprecedented access to a database to help them track down hard-to-find offenders who have defaulted on court penalties. When people move on, Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs) currently have no means to track them.
02 March 2005
MPs recommend changes for child access system
A report by the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee has called for more child access cases to be dealt with through mediation, not through the court system.
MPs recommend changes for child access system
A report by the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee has called for more child access cases to be dealt with through mediation, not through the court system.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.