Lawyers criticise court Sunday opening (From South Wales Guardian)
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Lawyers criticise court Sunday opening
9:00am Saturday 18th August 2012 in Ammanford news
LOCAL solicitors have criticised plans to open Carmarthen and Llanelli courts on Sundays.
They claim themove by the Ministry of Justice, resulting from Sunday sittings to deal with London rioters, will prove impractical and hit taxpayers in the pocket.
One said: “It’s difficult enough getting people to Llanelli to attend court during the week – to expect defendants and witnesses to attend trials on a Sunday is just madness.”
The Guardian understands cases are expected to be held in Carmarthen and Llanelli from Sunday, October 7, and are expected to continue until March.
It follows the closure of a number of courts, includingAmmanford, as part of a major cost-cutting drive in 2010.
The solicitor added: “Many people living in the more rural parts of the county will find it impossible to get to either Carmarthen or Llanelli on a Sunday.”
AMinistry of Justice spokesman said: “We are working with local areas to test whether a more flexible criminal justice system is able to better respond to the needs of the public, including victims and witnesses.”
