A UNITED front against any threat to Arbroath and Forfar courts has been presented by Angus councillors.
The final full council meeting of 2012 unanimously agreed a response to a Scottish Courts Service (SCS) consultation which has placed a question mark over Arbroath courthouse, with a strong message that any diminution of Angus provision would be seen as a backward step.
And a leading council official has raised concerns that if the axe falls on Arbroath, the move could also signal the eventual death knell for Forfar.
The SCS is undertaking a formal consultation on proposals unveiled in September which included Arbroath, Cupar and Stonehaven among 11 facilities across Scotland earmarked for closure.
Angus concerns shifted across the district following an initial discussion document which seemed to signal that the writing was on the wall for Forfar Sheriff Court.
Under the new plan, Arbroath business would transfer to Forfar but, over time, more important criminal and civil cases will be heard in Dundee.
Councillors formally agreed corporate services director Colin McMahon’s proposed response to the SCS consultation, which also raises fears that the passage of time might also ultimately put Forfar at risk of closure.
Mr McMahon said: “Angus is adequately and efficiently served by having two sheriff and justice of the peace courts within its area and should continue to be so served.
“At the very least, the geographical size of Angus is such that to close one court would create an unacceptable burden in terms of travelling time, be it as a witness, an accused, a solicitor, a social worker or anyone else otherwise engaged in court business.
“Perhaps more concerning is that, eventually, a significant volume of important court business will not be dealt with in Angus at all but will be transferred to Dundee Sheriff Court.
“This proposal could affect the viability of the then one remaining court in Angus, which could lead to its closure.”
Forfar councillor Glennis Middleton said: “There are very serious implications for all of us as local members if Arbroath was to close.
“Those include implications not really detailed in the consultation, such as the impacts on criminal justice social work and the victims and perpetrators of crime.
“There are many issues, including the distances between courts, transport links and the fact that we may have victims sitting beside accused on the same public transport service on their way to court.
“I am not convinced that there will be sufficient resources at Forfar to deal with additional business.
“The local knowledge of local sheriffs is very important and the loss of that could be very significant.”
Arbroath councillor Ewan Smith said: “Around Arbroath Sheriff Court there are a number of legal practices.
“We all have problems in our town centres of empty shops and I fear that would be the case for Arbroath if this goes ahead.
“We should be opposed to the closure of Arbroath or Forfar.”
gbrown@thecourier.co.uk