Proposed merger of the local justice areas in North Yorkshire

Overview

Overview

A consultation proposing a merger of the four Local Justice Areas (LJAs) in North Yorkshire into a single area to be known as the North Yorkshire LJA.

The work of the Magistrates’ Courts in North Yorkshire is currently split between 4 LJAs (or benches):

• York and Selby
• Harrogate and Skipton
• Northallerton and Richmond
• Scarborough.

This proposal will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of justice in North Yorkshire by making best use of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and judicial resources through effective listing, efficient rota arrangements for magistrates’ sittings to enable them to meet the minimum sitting requirements set by the Lord Chancellor, and by reducing the administrative burden of supporting four separate benches to a proportionate level.

This consultation seeks the views of people or organisations that may be affected by the proposed change including magistrates, other judicial office holders, court users, stakeholders and public authorities and charities within North Yorkshire.