Today marks the end of 800 years of judiciary in Cupar, but the political row over the closure of the town’s sheriff court is only intensifying.
North-east Fife SNP MSP Roderick Campbell, who was criticised for not voting against the closure of the sheriff court, has vowed to continue monitoring the challenges change may bring for solicitors and the potential economic impact on Cupar.
He said it is “unfortunate” Cupar Sheriff Court will close. He said he believes the decision made by the Scottish Court Service and backed by the Scottish Government last year was justifiable as part of a wider modernisation of Scotland’s court system.
But leading Liberal Democrats in Fife said there is likely to be a“significant impact” on Cupar and expressed grave concern about the transition of services to Dundee.
Mr Campbell told The Courier: “The proposal to close the court was made as a result of recommendations made by the Scottish Court Service, whose president is Scotland’s top judge, the Lord President, Lord Gill.
“The recommendations recognised the urgent need for Scotland’s court system to be modernised. Unfortunately, as part of that, Cupar, together with nine other sheriff courts throughout Scotland, saw their business transferred elsewhere.
“I accept the change will bring challenges for solicitors in Cupar but I will continue to monitor the situation over the coming months and will visit Dundee Sheriff Court to see how things are going later in the year.
“I will also continue to monitor the potential economic impact and continue to liaise with John Swinney, MSP, on this matter.”
Fife’s Liberal Democrat group leader, Tim Brett, said: “There is likely to be a significant impact on the economy of Cupar with these changes and there will be greater costs for a range of services, such as the police, criminal justice social work and health staff, who need to attend the court and will all now need to travel to Dundee.
“These all appear to have been ignored as part of this decision. It is also disappointing that scant account seems to have been taken of local views on this.”
Cupar Lib Dem Fife councillor Margaret Kennedy, who also fought a campaign against closure, said: “I quite accept that change is always inevitable within the public sector. However, it should be done in an inclusive manner in terms of outcomes.
“I would also contest it should not be in contradiction to the Scottish Government’s own policy expectations; the future of community justice will be delivered via the community planning partnerships the closure of Cupar court takes a key element of that outwith the jurisdiction of Fife Council and its partners.”
While outgoing Cupar sheriff Charles Macnair predicted last week the closure of Cupar Sheriff Court will not lead to the “shambles” many have predicted, his views have been described as “rubbish” by a leading solicitor who fought to keep Cupar Sheriff Court open.
Douglas Williams said the closure was “another kick in the teeth for Cupar” and predicted the already strained Dundee Sheriff Court would not be able to cope with the extra burden.
Retired Cupar sheriff George Evans told The Courier: “I see no evidence operating from Dundee will advance the interests of the people of north-east Fife one iota.”
North-East Fife Liberal Democrat MP Sir Menzies Campbell previously claimed the closure would be a “retrograde step”.