Ad Esse to support Leicester to introduce Community Justice

30/11/2006

People in Leicester will soon take part in tackling misery crime in their neighbourhood after the area was given the go-ahead to start the initial work to bring community justice to the people.

Birmingham, Bradford, Devon and Cornwall, Merthyr Tydfil, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Leicester and two locations in London are the eight new areas taking part in the next phase of community justice in England and Wales announced by Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer today.

Lord Falconer also outlined key principles that the new areas would follow in delivering community justice.

The announcement is part of proposals announced by Lord Falconer in the Department for Constitutional Affairs document, Delivering Simple, Speedy, Summary Justice launched in July 2006, to expand the community justice programme.

Community justice brings criminal justice agencies like the Crown Prosecution Service, the police, probation and the courts together with the local community to identify concerns that blight the lives of local people. Residents can also suggest areas or specific tasks that could be given to offenders on unpaid work as part of their community sentence.

Leicester will build on the initiatives already in place in Liverpool and Salford, and provide further advice and best practice to meet the local needs in a way that works best for their community.

Lord Falconer said:

“Today’s announcement expands community justice so that more people can benefit from a system that recognises that different areas have different priorities when it comes to neighbourhood crime."

“The community justice initiative in Leicester will build on the achievements of the North Liverpool and Salford projects. It will demonstrate further how the courts, the wider criminal justice system and the public can be brought closer together to foster new relationships that work to make justice better for everyone."

“Community justice aims to strengthen the links between the courts, the criminal justice system and the local community so that local people’s confidence in the work of the courts and the wider criminal justice system increases. I want to build on the good work judges and magistrates already carry out to deliver community justice.”

“The lessons we learn during this new phase will benefit other areas setting up their own local community justice initiative, so that in the long term, the principles of community justice are part of mainstream criminal justice system.”

Lord Falconer said that the new areas would be founded on the following key principles:
• Courts at the heart of the community.
• Visible and responsive to local people.
• Robust and Speedy Case Management.
• Maximising Judicial Authority.
• Problem solving in approach and outcome.
• Collaborative Working.
• Repairing harm to victims and the community.
• Promoting social inclusion of offenders.

The new phase is part of the Government’s drive to achieve a breakthrough in courts by building a more efficient system and creating a better experience for court users. The roll out of community justice is also closely linked to the Government’s RESPECT agenda, working with communities to give them the tools to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods.

Lord Falconer added:

“Community justice involves the community, and addresses the issues that concern them most thus increasing their confidence in the judiciary. In a similar way, all courts need to make sure that they provide a service that meets the needs of victims, witnesses and defendants."

“A breakthrough in courts where fairness, efficiency and effectiveness are the main priorities in handling cases, will ensure that the public knows the services available to them when they go to court and feel that their contribution is valued.”