Court Closure Costs Soar

It's claimed money is still being spent on axed court buildings and will continue until 2018.

The Scottish Court Service is to continue paying the upkeep costs for several axed court buildings for at least the next four years.

Ten Sheriff Courts are to close across Scotland, as well as seven Justice of the Peace courts as part of cost-saving plans.

Cupar shut its doors for the final time in May.

The Scottish Government says the closures will lead to the SCS saving £1 million a year in running costs and £3 million in maintenance costs.

Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said:
 
"It is not too late for the SNP to make a u-turn and bring these court buildings back into use, and this letter very much proves that.
 
"The court closures were a mistake, and although everyone warned the Scottish Government about this, it pressed ahead regardless.
 
"How can it justify this as a cash-saving exercise when it now has to look after and maintain vacant buildings across Scotland for at least the next four years?
 
"The best conclusion to this would be to reopen the courts and give communities the access to justice they deserve.
 
"If this does happen, the Scottish Government can at least reflect and be grateful it kept the buildings on.
 
"Across Scotland we are seeing the court cases drag on for longer, and that's because the remaining courts are overstretched as a result of these closures.
 
"It's time for the SNP to swallow its pride and restore Scotland’s court capacity."