It might be the Mayan prediction of the supposed end of the world that captures many headlines today.
But for the thousands of people who have objected to the proposed closure of Cupar Sheriff Court and changes to business at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, today takes on more realistic significance as it signals the final day of the Scottish Court Service’s consultation, which recommends that the Cupar court along with 10 others including Arbroath and Alloa be shut.
Campaigners ranging from lawyers, councillors, MPs, businesses, social workers and ordinary members of the public have all had their say in recent weeks.
They believe the proposed closure would be severely detrimental to justice and the economy of Cupar.
At a public meeting in Cupar three weeks ago, the Scottish Court Service (SCS) made it clear that the decision to close Cupar Sheriff Court has already been made as part of a proposed restructuring and cost-savings.
Cupar court business would be relocated to Dundee, with Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court also due to lose sheriff and jury trials to Dunfermline.
The proposed changes have been prompted by a 20% cut to the Scottish Court Service budget by the Scottish Government.
However, with the deadline for submissions closing at noon today, campaigners for retention of the court yesterday have not yet given up and have expressed hope that the SCS might yet realise their proposals are a mistake.
Cupar’s SNP Fife councillor Karen Marjoram told The Courier: “I really hope that the SCS listens to the people of Fife regarding this proposal. The impact of the court closing cannot be underestimated. I have, in addition to completing the response form, personally written to all SCS board members, and Kenny McAskill explaining why I think this proposal has not been fully thought through.
“There are so many reasons why it’s bad. I can list a few here, such as increased travel for court users, negative impact on carbon emissions, negative impact on local businesses, less access to justice, increase cost to Fife Council, both by them having to travel to provide the services to court users, such as social work, community payback.
“The fact that we are about to move police to same building, then the court moves away is just the SCS not looking at other public-funded organisations, but just looking at their wee bit in a bubble.
“The overall cost to the public purse will increase as a result of this proposal. The building may be of no use to anyone and will most likely lay empty for many years.”
Cupar Community Council health spokesman and retired businessman Pete Cura said around 2,000 people had signed the petition against closure and he claimed the SCS had “obviously not done its homework”.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, expressed concern for the future of justice for rural communities following the proposal to close courts in Alloa and Cupar.
She said: “I share concerns being expressed by those who work in the Court Service that SNP court closure plans to save money may result in greater cost to the taxpayer in the long term.
“In the current economic climate, it is right that the Scottish Court Service is looking at ways to make savings and to deliver services in a more cost-effective way. However, such a reduction in the number of courts should only be made if the overall capacity for processing criminal and civil cases is not adversely affected.”
malexander@thecourier.co.uk